THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 

MABEL  R.   G  ELLIS 


SEEK  AND  FIND; 


OB. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY. 


BY 


OLIVER    OPTIC,     i> 

AUTHO*  OF  "TOCNO  AMERICA  ABROAD,"  "THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY  WOWES," 

"  THE  WOODVILLE  STORIES,"  "  THE  BOAT-CLUB  STORIES," 

"TUB  KlVtRDALB  STORIES,"  ETC. 


BOSTON 
LEE   AND  SHEPARD    PUBLISHERS 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1867,  by 

WILLIAM  T.  ADAMS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 

COPYRIGHT,  1895,  BY  WILLIAM  T.  ADAMS. 
All  rights  reserved. 

SEEK  AND  FIND. 


PS 


TO 

MY    YOUNG    FRIEND, 

ALICE    LEE    GOOKIA, 

(This    Sooh 

Ii  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED. 


577461 


PKEFACE. 


"  SERK  AND  FIND  "  is  the  third  of  the  serial  stories  pub 
lished  in  "  OUR  Bora  AND  GIRLS,"  where  it  appeared  as  the 
sequel  of  "BREAKING  AWAY."  The  author  had  no  more 
reason  to  complain  of  its  reception  than  of  that  accorded  to 
its  predecessors ;  and  he  returns  his  sincere  thanks  to  all  those 
young  friends  who  have  written  hundreds  of  letters  to  him, 
containing  the  most  generous  commendation,  with  an  occa 
sional  criticism,  which  was  by  no  means  unwelcome. 

Ernest  Thornton  is  a  smart  boy  —  perhaps  he  is  too  smart; 
but  his  smartness  is  not  worldly  cunning;  it  is  made  up  of 
those  elements  of  character  which  constitute  a  noble  and  true 
man  —  good  judgment,  quick  perception,  and  manly  decis 
ion,  mingled  with  those  moral  and  religious  attributes  which 
are  the  leading  springs  of  the  true  life.  If  some  of  the  hero's 

actions  are  doubtful,  his  motives  are  always  good.     The  great' 

/ 
est  crime  against  the  moral  law  is  to  be  without  a  high  aim ; 

and  while  a  thousand  errors  and   short-comings   may  be  for 
given,  the  want  of  a  good  intention   is   the  capital  sin  which 


O  PRKFACE. 

may  not  be  pardoned.  While  we  cannot  ask  or  expect  all 
young  men  to  accomplish  what  Ernest  Thornton  did,  we  may 
point  to  his  high  aims  and  good  intentions,  and  say  to  th* 
reader,  "Go  thou  and  do  likewise." 

HARRISON  SQUARE,  MASS., 
November  20, 1867. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I.  PA01 

IN    WHICH     ERNEST    THORNTON    BECOMES    ACQUAINTED 
WITH  Miss  KATE  LORAINE 11 

CHAPTER    II. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  LISTENS  TO  THE  STORY  OF  Miss  KATE 

LORAINE 22 

CHAPTER    III. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  CALLS  UPON  MRS.  LORAINE.      ...      33 

CHAPTER    IV. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  RELEASES  THE  CAPTIVE  MAIDEN  FROM 
HER  PRISON 44 

CHAPTER    V. 

Iw  WHICH    ERNEST  is  AWAKENED  BY  A  LOUD  KNOCKING.      56 
CHAPTER    VI. 

I»  WHICH  ERNEST  GETS  AN  IDEA 67 

CHAPTER    VII. 

IN   WHICH  ERNEST   HAS  AN   INTERVIEW  WITH   MR.  TOM 
THORNTON 78 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
IN  WHICB  ERNEST  VISITS  HIS  UNCLE'S  LIBRARY.     ...      89 

(7) 


8  CONTENTS. 

i 

CHAPTER    IX. 

IK  WHICH  ERNEST,  AFTER  A  SUCCESSFUL  RETREAT,  FALLS 
IKTO  A  TRAP • 100 

CHAPTER    X. 

IN  WHICH    ERNEST   STRIKES  A   HEAVY    BLOW  FOR  LIB 
ERTY Ill 

CHAPTER    XI. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  MAKES  GOOD  HIS  RETREAT  FROM  THE 
COTTAGE 122 

CHAPTER    XII. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  OBTAINS  SOME  VALUABLE  LETTERS.     .     132 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

IN  WHICH    ERNEST    LEAVES    PARKVILLE,  AND  TAKES  THE 
TRAIN  FOR  THE  EASTWARD 144 

CHAPTER    XIV. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  WONDERS  WHAT  TOM  THORNTON  WILL 

DO,  AND  FINDS  OUT 155 

CHAPTER    XV. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  FACES  THE  ENEMY ICG 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  MAKES  A  LANDING  ON  THE  HUDSON.      177 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

• 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  OUTFLANKS  TOM  THORNTON.       .     .     .     189 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
IN  WHICH  ERNEST  CALLS  ON  SEVERAL  LORAINES.    .     .     .     200 


CONTENTS.  9 

CHAPTER     XIX. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  STARTS  FOR  MADISON  PLACE  WITH 
KATE 211 

CHAPTER    XX. 
IN  WHICH   ERNEST    STRIKES   A   HEAVY   BLOW,  AND   TOM 

THORNTON  HAS  A  BAD  FALL 221 

CHAPTER     XXI. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  VISITS  MADISON  PLACE 232 

CHAPTER    XXII. 
IN   WHICH    ERNEST    MAKES   THE   ACQUAINTANCE    OF    E. 

DCNKSWELL 243 

CHAPTER     XXIII. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  FINDS  THAT  E.  DUNKSWELL  is  A  DIS 
AGREEABLE  ROOM-MATE 254 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  LANDS  AT  CROOKHAVEN,  AND  PROCEEDS 
TO  LONDON 265 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  VISITS  STONY  STRATFORD,  AND  E. 
DCNKSWELL  COMES  TO  GRIEF 276 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  RETURNS  TO  PARKVILLE  WITH  HIS 
MOTHER,  AND  THE  STORY  ENDS  ON  THE  SHORES  OF 
LAKE  ADIENO 289 


SEEK  AND  FIND; 

OB, 

THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST     THORNTON     BECOMES   ACQUAINTED 
WITH    MISS   KATE   LOEAINE. 

WE  are  getting  a  capital  breeze  over  here,"  said 
my  friend  Bob  Hale,  who  was  seated  at  my 
side  in  the  Splash. 

u  There  is  always  plenty  of  wind  over  here  when  it 
comes  from  the  north-west,"  I  replied, 

It  was  one  of  the  last  days  of  May,  and  the  weather, 
which  had  been  chilly  and  disagreeable  during  the 
preceding  week,  was  warm  and  pleasant.  I  had  been 
to  school,  as  usual,  in  my  boat,  and  was  taking  Bob 
out  for  a  sail,  intending  to  land  him  at  Parkville  before 
dark,  and  return  to  the  cottage  of  my  uncle  beyond 
the  town.  I  had  made  one  long  stretch  with  the  wind 


12  SEEK    AND   FIND,   OK 

on  the  beam,  nearly  over  to  Cannondale ;  in  fact,  the 
water  was  beginning  to  shoal  off  the  point  half  a  mile 
to  the  northward  and  eastward  of  that  town. 

Along  the  shore  of  the  lake  for  two  or  three  miles, 
on  each  side  of  Cannondale,  were  many  beautiful  resi 
dences,  occupied  by  wealthy  people,  who  were  attract 
ed  to  the  locality  by  the  pleasant  but  not  picturesque 
scenery.  It  was  a  delightful  region  for  a  summer  so 
journ,  though  many  of  the  people  were  permanent 
residents. 

"  Well,  Bob,  we  must  come  about  or  get  aground," 
I  continued.  "Where  shall  we  go  now?" 

"Anywhere  you  please,  Ernest.  I  enjoy  sailing 
wherever  you  go,  though  I  like  running  along  the 
shore,  where  you  can  enjoy  these  fine  gardens,  and 
occasionally  look  in  upon  a  pleasant  party,  especially 
if  they  happen  to  be  singing,  or  playing  a  lively  game." 

"  That's  just  my  idea ;  and  we  will  follow  the  shore 
round  to  Parkville.  The  wind  will  favor  us  all  the 
way." 

I  put  the  Splash  about,  and  with  the  wind  on  the 
quarter,  laid  a  course  which  kept  the  boat  within  a  few 
rods  of  the  shore.  From  the  beach  in  the  rear  of 


THE   ADVENTTTOES   OP   A   SMART    BOY.  13 

many  of  the  houses,  little  piers,  not  more  than  three 
or  four  feet  wide,  were  extended  into  the  lake,  for  the 
convenience  of  embarking  and  landing  in  the  boats, 
with  which  nearly  every  dwelling  was  supplied.  We 
were  approaching  one  of  these  piers  belonging  to  the 
first  house  beyond  the  Point,  when  Bob  and  myself 
were  startled  by  a  shrill  scream,  which  caused  both  of 
us  to  spring  to  our  feet. 

"  "What  does  that  mean  ?  "  demanded  Bob. 

"I  don't  know.     I  can't  see  anything,"  I  replied. 

uls  it  somebody  overboard?" 

« I  don't  see  any  one.  It  came  from  the  garden  be 
yond  that  first  pier." 

"There  it  is  again,"  said  Bob,  greatly  excited,  as 
the  scream  was  repeated. 

We  were  not  long  left  in  doubt  in  regard  to  the 
•  person  who  had  uttered  the  cry ;  for  a  girl  immediate 
ly  emerged  from  the  foliage  of  the  garden,  and  ran 
down  to  the  end  of  the  pier,  where  she  paused  and 
looked'  timorously  behind  her.  We  looked  anxiously 
for  the  cause  of  her  terror,  almost  expecting  to  see  a 
bear,  a  wolf,  or  at  least  a  savage  dog,  in  pursuit  of  the 
hapless  maiden.  The  young  lady  was  nicely  dressed, 


14  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OH 

and  seemed  to  be  fourteen  years  of  age.  Of  course 
Bob  and  I  were  both  willing  "  to  do  or  die  "  in  her 
defence,  though  we  were  just  then  rather  too  far  off 
to  be  of  instant  service  to  her,  even  if  any  savago 
beast  had  assailed  her. 

"What's  the  matter  with  her?"  said  Bob;  "sho 
appears  to  be  frightened  out  of  her  wits." 

"I  don't  see  anything  to  alarm  her." 

"Nor  I." 

But  then  tho  young  lady  screamed  again,  and  we 
saw  a  lady  rushing  out  to  the  place  where  the  girl 
was,  at  the  end  of  tho  pier.  The  latter  seemed  to  be 
fearfully  agitated ;  and  giving  one  more  agonizing  cry, 
she  leaped  into  the  lake,  just  as  the  lady  was  on  the 
point  of  seizing  her  by  the  arm. 

Bob  and  I  were  thrilled  to  the  depths  of  our  being 
by  this  exciting  scene.  I  had  already  put  the  helm 
up,  and  the  Splash  was  headed  directly  towards  the 
young  lady,  who  was  struggling  in  the  water.  The 
wind  carried  her  away  from  the  pier  about  twenty 
feet,  when  the  Splash  reached  the  place,  and  I  ran 
her  between  the  girl  and  the  shore. 

"Save  her!  save  her!"  cried  the  lady  on  the  pier. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   EOT.  15 

"Take  the  helm,  Bob,"  shouted  I,  throwing  the  boat 
round  into  the  wind,  and  springing  upon  the  half  deck 

I  was  prepared  to  jump  overboard,  if  it  was  neces 
sary;  but  it  was  not.  I  had  seized  the  short  boat- 
hook  as  I  went  forward,  and  with  it  I  hooked  on  to 
her  dress.  Drawing  her  towards  the  boat,  I  seized 
her  by  the  arm,  and  lifted  her  on  board.  She  had 
been  in  the  water  but  a  few  moments,  and  had  not 
lost  her  consciousness;  indeed,  she  appeared  not  to 
have  suffered  at  all  from  her  bath.  I  at  once  con 
cluded  that  she  was  one  of  the  young  ladies  whom  I 
had  frequently  seen  bathing  on  the  beach,  and  that 
the  water  had  no  terrors  to  her.  I  had  not  seen  her 
swim,  though  the  water  was  over  her  head. 

I  placed  her  on  one  of  the  seats  as  soon  as  I  had 
pulled  her  out  of  the  water,  expecting  her  to  faint,  or 
do  some  other  womanish  thing.  She  brushed  the 
water  from  her  eyes,  and  bending  down  so  that  she 
could  look  tinder  the  foresail,  she  caught  a  glimpse  of 
the  lady  on  the  pier. 

"Take  me  away  from  here  —  O,  do!"  said  she,  be 
stowing  a  pleading  look  upon  me. 

"Where  shall  I  land  you?"  I  asked,  in  gentle 
tones. 


16  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 

"Anywhere  but  here  —  don't  leave  me  here,"  she 
replied,  earnestly,  and  hardly  less  agitated  than  when 
she  had  leaped  into  the  lake. 

"  But  you  are  wet  through,  and  you  may  take  cold," 

I  suggested,  mildly. 

"I  don't  care  if  I  do.  It  makes  no  difference.  Take 
me  away  from  here." 

"Where  shall  I  land  you?"  I  asked  again,  puzzled 
by  her  singular  conduct. 

"I  don't  care  where;  but  if  you  land  me  here  I 
shall  jump  into  the  lake  again." 

Bob  Hale  had  put  the  helm  up,  and  the  Splash 
had  filled  away  again  on  her  former  course,  which 
was  bearing  us  away  from  the  pier  on  which  the  lady 
still  stood. 

"Shall  I  come  about?"  asked  he,  apparently  satis 
fied  that  the  only  thing  we  could  do  was  to  land  the 
young  lady  on  the  pier. 

"Not  just  yet,  Bob,"  I  replied,  fearful  that  a  change 
of  our  course  would  increase  her  agitation. 

"I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  what  you 
have  done  for  me,"  said  the  dripping  maiden,  who 
paid  not  the  slightest  attention  to  the  condition  of 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP   A    SMART   EOT.  17 

her  clothing,  and  was  wholly  absorbed  in  her  own 
thoughts,  which  were  painful  enough  to  give  her  face 
an  expression  of  agony.  "  I  hope  you  will  not  think 
I  am  ungrateful,  Ernest  Thornton." 

"  I  do  not  think  so,"  I  replied,  astonished  to  find 
she  knew  my  name. 

"  And  I  shall  be  ever  so  much  more  grateful  to  you 
if  you  will  take  me  away  from  this  place,"  she  added, 
with  a  beseeching  look. 

"I  really  don't  know  what  to  do.  You  called  me 
by  name,  just  now,  but  I  do  not  remember  to  have 
seen  you  before." 

"Perhaps  you  have  not;  but  I  have  seen  your  boat 
so  often  that  I  feel  acquainted  with  you." 

"May  I  ask  you  to  tell  me  your  name?" 

"  I  will  tell  you,  but  you  will  not  know  me  any 
better.  It  is  Kate  Loraine,"  she  replied,  more  calmly 
than  she  had  yet  spoken. 

I  was  certainly  no  wiser  for  what  she  told  me, 
though  I  knew  that  Loraine  was  the  name  of  the  peo 
ple  who  lived  in  the  house  nearest  to  the  Point. 

"Who  is  the  lady  on  the  pier?"  I  asked. 

"Mrs.  Loraine,'*  answered  she,  with  a  visible  shud 
2 


18  SEEK    AND   FIND,    OB 

der;  though  I  could  not  tell  whether  it  was  caused 
by  the  mention  of  the  lady's  name,  or  by  the  cold 
chill  of  her  wet  condition. 

"  Is  she  your  mother  ?  "  I  continued ;  and  it  seemed 
to  me  that  her  answer  to  this  question  would  enable 
me  to  decide  whether  or  not  to  land  her  on  the  pier. 

"  No,  no ! "  replied  she,  with  the  most  decisive  em 
phasis. 

"  But  your  names  are  the  same." 

"They  arc;  of  course  she  has  my  father's  name." 

I  could  not  see  why  that  followed,  but  I  did  not 
like  to  carry  my  questions  to  the  point  of  impudence. 

"Is  your  father  at  home?" 

"My  father  is  dead,"  she  answered,  in  a  very  sad 
tone. 

"  Excuse  me  if  I  ask  who  the  lady  is  that  stands 
on  the  pier." 

"Mrs.  Loraine." 

"And  not  your  mother?" 

"No!" 

"You  seemed  to  be  running  away  from  her  when 
I  heard  you  screaming." 

"I  was;   she  was  trying  to  catch  me." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  10 

Perhaps  Miss  Kate  Loraine  thought  I  was  very  ob 
tuse,  but  I  could  not  understand  the  relation  between 
the  parties,  and  I  had  not  the  faintest  idea  why  she 
was  running  away  from  Mrs.  Loraine.  I  was  not 
willing  to  believe  that  a  young  miss  like  her  intended 
to  resort  to  such  a  desperate  remedy  as  suicide  for 
any  real  or  imaginary  sufferings. 

"  What  shall  we  do,  Bob  ?  "  I  asked,  turning  to  my 
companion,  completely  nonplussed  by  the  circum 
stances. 

"I  don't  know  what  to  do.  It  seems  to  me  we 
ought  to  return  the  young  lady  to  her  friends,"  re 
plied  he. 

"  I  have  no  friends,"  interposed  Kate,  and  the  tears 
started  in  her  eyes;  "at  least  I  have  none  in  Can- 
nondale." 

"Don't  you  live  at  Mrs.  Loraine's?"  asked  Bob. 

"Yes;   but  I  shall  live  there  no  longer." 

"You  say  she  is  not  your  mother?"  I  added,  ro- 
turning  to  the  point  I  had  twice  left. 

"  She  was  my  father's  wife,  but  she  is  not  my 
mother." 

"  She  is  your  step-mother,"  I  continued,  as  the  light 
flooded  my  dull  brain. 


20  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"  She  is ;  I  do  not  wish  to  speak  ill  of  her,  but  1 
do  wish  to  keep  away  from  her.  She  is  not  kind  to 
me,  to  say  the  very  least." 

I  pitied  her,  and  I  saw  by  Bob's  looks  that  he  wrs 
not  at  all  behind  me  in  the  outflow  of  his  sympathy. 
I  had  read  stories  enough  about  "  awful  step-mothers  " 
to  form  an  idea  of  Kate's  situation,  though  I  had  no 
prejudices  against  step-mothers,  as  such.  Bob  Halo's 
father  had  married  a  second  wife,  but  Bob  and  his 
sister  would  never  have  known  from  her  treatment  of 
them,  that  she  was  not  their  own  mother. 

If  Kate  was  not  a  very  pretty  girl,  she  was  certainly 
a  very  interesting  one.  Her  form  was  grace  itself,  but 
her  eyes  were  all  that  was  pretty  about  her  face ;  and 
when  I  looked  at  her  I  was  not  willing  to  believe  it 
possible  that  any  one,  and  especially  one  bearing  her 
father's  name,  could  ill-treat  her. 

By  this  time  the  boat  had  gone  to  the  farther  cor 
ner  of  the  lake,  and  it  was  necessary  to  brace  her  up 
or  come  about.  I  went  aft  to  take  the  helm,  and  Kate 
followed  me,  taking  a  seat  at  my  side.  I  put  the 
tiller  hard  down,  and  the  Splash  came  about,  heading 
towards  Cannondale.  Our  passenger  was  quick  to 
discern  the  course,  and  became  quite  excited  again. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  21 

"You  are  taking  me  home  again!"  exclaimed  she. 
u  O,  Ernest  Thornton !  you  will  not  do  that.  Let 
me  land  here,  anywhere,  even  on  that  island,  but  do 
not  give  me  back  to  her." 

"  I  don't  know  what  to  do,  Miss  Loraine ;  but  I 
think  you  ought  to  have  dry  clothes  at  once." 

"  Have  pity  upon  me,  and  do  not  take  me  home," 
pleaded  she. 

She  was  so  agitated  that  I  became  alarmed;  and 
to  pacify  her,  I  came  about  again,  and  steered  fo< 
Parkville. 


22  SEEK    AND   FIND,   OR 


CHAPTER   II. 

tN   WHICH     ERNEST     LISTENS     TO    THE     STORY    OF     MISS 
KATE   LORAINE. 

FORTUNATELY  the  day  was  warm  and  the 
sun  shining  brightly,  or  our  gentle  passenger 
must  have  suffered  severely  from  the  effects  of  her 
voluntary  bath.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  felt  more 
embarrassed  and  perplexed  than  I  did  when  I  sat  in 
the  Splash  that  day,  with  Miss  Kate  Loraine  at  my 
side,  her  dress  hanging  "slinky"  and  dripping  upon 
her.  Certainly  there  was  nothing  sentimental  in  the 
affair,  for,  though  I  was  willing  to  become  a  knight 
errant  in  a  good  cause,  the  situation  was  so  awkward 
that  I  could  not  enjoy  it. 

Bob  Hale  was  as  much  in  trouble  as  I  was,  and 
he  could  not  tell  what  to  do  any  better  than  I  could. 
Neither  of  us  was  willing  to  assume  the  responsibil 
ity  of  taking  the  young  lady  from  her  home  on  the 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  23 

strength  of  her  own  assertion  that  her  step-mother 
abused  her.  There  were  two  sides  to  every  question, 
and  with  the  brighter  example  of  Mrs.  Hale  before 
us,  we  were  not  disposed  to  regard  her  as  a  monster 
without  giving  her  a  hearing. 

Kate  was  quite  composed  again  when  she  found  the 
boat  was  headed  towards  Parkville,  instead  of  Cannon- 
dale.  One  thing  was  very  much  in  her  favor;  she 
was  not  willing  to  speak  evil  of  the  lady  who  abused 
her.  She  had  told  us  no  more  than  was  necessary  to 
explain  her  position.  Her  demeanor  did  not  indicate 
any  thing  malignant  in  her  heart;  on  the  contrary, 
her  conduct  exhibited  a  degree  of  Christian  forbear 
ance  which  was  hardly  to  be  expected  of  one  who 
had  been  abused. 

"I  have  heard  all  about  you,  Ernest  Thornton," 
said  Kate,  as  the  Splash  stood  over  towards  Park 
ville. 

"  Have  you,  indeed  ?  I  was  not  aware  that  I  was 
celebrated  enough  to  be  talked  about,"  I  laughingly 
replied. 

"You  are;  and  ever  since  you  beat  the  Champion 
in  the  race  with  the  Adieno,  I  have  looked  upon  you 


24  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

as  a  hero.  I  have  often  wished  that  I  might  see  you 
close  to." 

She  was  close  enough  to  me  now  to  make  me  shiver 
when  I  looked  at  her,  she  was  so  wet  and  drabbled. 

"Perhaps  I  am  a  kind  of  one-horse  hero  among 
the  boys,"  I  added,  for  the  sake  of  saying  something. 

"And  among  the  girls,  too,"  said  she,  promptly,  if 
not  boldly,  though  there  was  a  degree  of  simplicity 
in  her  manner  which  prevented  me  from  giving  her 
words  an  unfavorable  construction.  M I  have  heard 
them  in  Cannondale  and  Parkville  tell  what  a  bold, 
brave  fellow  you  are." 

"I  am  very  much  obliged  to  them  and  to  you  for 
the  good  opinion  of  me.  If  you  have  confidence  in 
me,  that  will  answer  my  present  purpose." 

She  looked  curiously  at  me;  and  taking  advantage 
of  this  favorable  current  of  sentiment,  I  put  the  Splash 
about  on  the  other  tack,  so  that  she  was  again  headed 
towards  Cannondale.  Bob  looked  anxiously  from  Kate 
to  me,  and  from  me  to  Kate  again.  He  expected  an 
other  storm  of  emotion  from  her,  and  so  did  I ;  but  I 
had  decided  upon  my  course,  and  was  fully  determined 
to  carry  it  out,  even  if  it  broke  the  heartstrings  of  my 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  25 

fair  passenger.  I  was  sorry  to  be  so  ungallant  as  to 
resist  the  will  of  a  young  lady,  but  ray  conscience 
would  not  let  me  interfere  with  the  domestic  arrange 
ments  of  Mrs.  Loraine,  without  giving  her  a  chance  to 
defend  herself. 

"  They  say  you  are  a  smart  boy,  Ernest  Thornton," 
added  she,  apparently  without  noticing  the  change  in 
the  course  of  the  boat. 

"Perhaps  I  am  —  I  don't  know,"  I  replied;  "I  am 
afraid  if  I  take  you  over  to  Parkville,  people  will 
think  I  am  smarter  than  I  ever  was  before." 

"Why?"  asked  she,  bestowing  a  painfully  anxious 
glance  upon  me. 

"  Don't  you  think  it  would  be  rather  smart  for  Bob 
Hale  and  me  to  run  away  with  a  young  lady  like 
you?" 

"  Run  away  with  me ! "  exclaimed  she,  with  a 
troubled  look. 

"  What  should  we  do  with  you  after  we  had  landed 
you?" 

"  O,  I  won't  give  you  any  trouble  at  all  —  not  a  bit " 

"We  don't  mind  the  trouble,  Miss  Loraine;  we 
were  only  thinking  what  would  become  of  you." 


26  SEEK    AND    FIND,   OB 

"  I  have  an  uncle  in  New  York  city  —  my  father's 
brother.  If  I  can  only  get  to  him,  it  will  be  all  I 
want,"  she  answered,  and  her  future  course  seemed  to 
be  clear  enough  to  her. 

"  But  how  will  you  get  to  New  York  ? "  I  asked. 

"  I  don't  know ;  I  would  rather  walk  than  stay  at 
Cannondale  any  longer." 

"Haven't  you  written  to  your  uncle?"  asked  Bob. 

"  No ;  I  don't  know  what  his  first  name  is ;  and 
Mrs.  Loraine  won't  let  me  write  any  letters.  I  wrote 
one  once,  and  directed  it  to  Mr.  Loraine,  New  York, 
but  she  burnt  it  up." 

"Do  you  think  you  could  find  him?" 

"  I  am  sure  I  could.  I  would  call  on  every  one  of 
that  name  in  the  city.  Why,  Ernest  Thornton  ! 
You  are  going  back  to  Cannondale !  "  exclaimed  Kate, 
as  she  happened  to  glance  ahead,  and  saw  the  shore 
not  far  distant. 

"Don't  be  alarmed,  Miss  Loraine.  Just  now  you 
said  I  was  a  hero,  and  a  smart  boy,  and  all  that  sort 
of  thing.  My  friend  Bob  Hale,  here,  is  as  smart  and 
as  much  of  a  hero  as  I  am,  I  assure  you.  Between 
us  two  we  will  do  what  we  can  for  you,"  I  interposed 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  27 

when  she  began  to  exhibit  signs  of  another  outbreak 
of  emotion. 

"  That's  so ! "  added  Bob,  decidedly ;  and  he  was 
always  ready  to  back  up  any  thing  I  said  or  did. 

"Now  keep  cool,  Miss  Loraine,"  I  continued. 
"  Don't  be  a  bit  afraid,  and  Bob  and  I  will  see  you 
through,  if  we  have  to  stand  on  our  heads  and  walk 
through  fire  and  water  to  do  it." 

"You  are  very  kind,  and  I  am  very  much  obliged 
to  you,"  replied  she,  with  a  shudder,  as  she  glanced 
at  the  pier,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  offj  on  which  Mrs. 
Loraine  was  still  standing.  "But  don't  make  me  go 
there  again." 

"  Now,  Miss  Loraine,  you  must  be  reasonable,"  said 
I,  in  the  gentlest  tone  I  could  command,  albeit  I  was 
not  much  accustomed  to  the  refinements  of  young 
ladies'  society.  "  It  would  not  be  right  for  Bob  and 
me  to  carry  you  away  from  your  home.  People  would 
think  hard  of  us." 

"Then  I  don't  want  you  to  do  it,"  she  replied,  in 
tones  of  resignation. 

"We  don't  know  any  thing  about  the  affairs  at 
your  house." 


28  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"I  have  told  you  the  truth." 

""We  do  not  doubt  that;  but  you  only  say  that 
Mrs.  Loraine  is  not  kind  to  you." 

"She  is  not." 

"Do  you  mean  that  she  abuses  you?" 

"I  do  mean  that,"  replied  Kate,  with  some  hesita 
tion,  which  evinced  an  unwillingness  to  acknowledge 
the  fact. 

"What  has  she  done  to  you?" 

"She  locks  me  up  in  one  of  the  attic  rooms  for 
weeks  together,"  she  replied,  bursting  into  tears. 

"Don't  cry,  Kate  ;  what  does  she  lock  you  up  for? 
asked  Bob,  when  I  paused. 

"I  suppose  I  am  very  naughty,  sometimes,  but  I 
can't  help  it,"  sobbed  she. 

"Then  she  locks  you  up  to  punish  you  for  being 
naughty  —  does  she?" 

"  Yes." 

Bob  looked  significantly  at  me,  as  much  as  to  say 
that  he  did  not  wish  to  have  anything  to  do  with 
"rescuing"  a  young  miss  who  had  been  shut  up  for 
being  naughty. 

"If  she  would   only  be  kind  to  me  sometimes,  I 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  29 

could  bear  it  all.  If  she  only  smiled  on  me  even 
once  a  month,  I  think  I  should  not  complain.  But, 
O,  it  is  so  terrible  to  be  locked  into  your  chamber, 
and  stay  there  day  after  day  for  a  whole  week ! " 
moaned  she,  with  a  convulsive  quiver. 

"  When  did  she  lock  you  up  last  ? "  continued  Bob, 
who  had  taken  the  investigation  into  his  own  hands, 
when  Kate  showed  a  willingness  to  answer. 

"About  a  week  ago." 

"A  week  ago?  I  thought  you  said  she  kept  you 
in  your  room  for  a  week?" 

"  So  she  does,  and  she  only  let  me  out  this  fore 
noon." 

"What  did  she  lock  you  up  for  last  time?" 

"For  taking  such  long  stitches  hemming  her  hand 
kerchief." 

"For  taking  long  stitches!"  exclaimed  Bob,  with 
something  like  horror  in  his  tones.  "Did  she  shut 
you  up  for  a  week  for  this?" 

"  She  did ;  and  she  fastened  the  blinds  of  the  cham 
ber  so  that  I  could  not  open  them." 

"Did  you  refuse  to  take  short  stitches?"  I  asked, 
fearing  there  might  be  some  aggravating  circum 
stances. 


30  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"No,  I  did  not,  indeed.  I  hemmed  the  handker 
chief  just  as  I  always  did,  and  I  did  not  think  the 
stitches  were  too  coarse,"  she  replied,  wiping  away 
her  tears  with  a  wet  handkerchief.  "It  was  done 
just  like  this  one,"  she  added,  exhibiting  it  as  a  speci 
men  of  her  work. 

Neither  Bob  nor  myself  was  sufficiently  skilled  in 
sewing  craft  to  judge  of  the  quality  of  the  work,  but 
the  stitches  did  not  seem  to  be  very  long.  "We  com 
pared  the  hemming  with  that  on  our  own  handker 
chiefs,  but  were  not  able  to  detect  much  difference. 

"When  did  Mrs.  Loraine  shut  you  up  the  time 
before  that,"  I  asked,  handing  her  the  handkerchief. 

"  I  had  not  been  out  three  days." 

"What  was  it  for  that  time?" 

"Because  I  pulled  up  some  flowers  in  the  garden 
which  were  just  coming  up.  I  thought  they  were 
weeds;  and  I'm  sure  I  didn't  mean  any  harm." 

"  How  long  did  she  shut  you  up  for  this  ? "  asked 
Bob. 

"Eight  days." 

"What  do  you  do  in  your  chamber  while  shut  up 
there?"  I  inquired. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART   BOY.  31 

"  Nothing." 

"  Don't  you  have  books  ?  " 

"  O,  no !     If  I  did,  I  shouldn't  mind  it  so  much." 

"Don't  you  sew?" 

"No;  I'm  not  allowed  to  do  anything,"  she  an 
swered,  with  a  convulsive  sob. 

I  could  hardly  keep  from  crying  myself,  and  I  was 
almost  choked  by  my  efforts  to  keep  down  my  eirux 
tions.  I  had  kept  the  boat  away  from  the  pier,  in 
order  to  afford  time  for  this  inquiry,  and  the  Splash 
was  now  off  the  Point.  I  put  her  about,  and  ran 
before  the  wind  towards  the  pier  again. 

"  Are  you  willing  to  tell  us  what  the  trouble  was 
to-day,  before  you  jumped  into  the  water?"  said 
Bob,  tenderly. 

"  She  told  me  to  water  the  flowers  in  her  garden, 
and  I  was  doing  it.  She  kept  telling  me  how  to  do 
it,  and  what  to  water,  and  I  tried  as  hard  as  I  could 
to  please  her;  but  I  was  so  frightened  lest  I  should 
do  something  wrong,  that  I  trod  on  a  peony,  and 
broke  it  down.  She  was  very  angry,  and  immedi 
ately  told  me  to  go  back  to  my  room,  and  stay  there 
another  week.  O,  if  you  only  knew  how  I  dreaded 


32  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OB 

that  room!  If  you  only  knew  how  gloomy  and  sad 
I  am  when  shut  up  there!  If  you  could  only  feel 
how  long  and  heavy  the  hours  are  there,  you  would 
pity  me." 

"  I  do  pity  you,"  said  Bob,  warmly. 

"I  begged  her  on  my  knees  not  to   shut   me  up. 

« 

I  felt  then  that  I  would  rather  die  than  be  shut  up 
again,  for  I  only  got  out  this  morning.  That's  my 
room,"  said  she,  with  a  shudder,  as  she  pointed  to 
an  attic  window  in  the  rear  of  the  house. 

"  Miss  Loraine,  we  will  stand  by  you !  "  I  exclaimed, 
with  enthusiasm,  for  my  feelings  had  been  strongly 
worked  upon  by  her  story.  "  But  you  must  go  to 
the  house,  and  get  warm  clothing.  Bob  and  I  will 
go  with  you." 

"But  I  shall  be  sent  to  my  room  at  once." 

"  If  you  are,  we  will  get  you  out  this  very  night, 
if  we  have  to  lift  the  roof  off  the  house  to  do  it." 

Kate  was  fearful ;  but  whatever  happened,  we  were 
determined  that  she  should  have  dry  clothing.  I 
ran  the  Splash  up  to  the  pier,  where  Mrs.  Loraine 
wag  impatiently  waiting  for  the  boat. 


THE   ADVENTURE?   OF  A   SMART  BOY.  33 


CHAPTER  III. 

IN    WHICH     ERNEST    CALLS    UPON    MRS.    LORAINE. 

I  BEGAN   to    fear   that   you    did   not   intend   to 
return,  young    gentlemen,"   said    Mrs.  Loraine,  aa 
the  Splash  came  up  on  the  leeward  side  of  the  pier. 
"  I  am  afraid  this  young  lady  has  given  you  a  great 
deal  of  trouble." 

"No  trouble  at  all,"  I  replied. 

"  She  is  a  wayward  and  disobedient  girl.  I  have 
trouble  enough  with  her,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  have 
her  trouble  other  people,"  continued  Mrs.  Loraine; 
and  I  could  see  that  the  glances  she  bestowed  upon 
her  step-daughter  were  full  of  malice. 

"  She  seems  to  have  some  trouble  herself,  or  she 
wouldn't  have  jumped  into  the  lake." 

"  She  would  not  have  done  that  if  she  hadn't  seen 
your  boat  close  by,"  added  the  lady. 

"  I  fear  she  will  take  cold,"  said  I,  wishing  to  draw 
the  woman  out  as  much  as  possible. 
3 


34  SEEK    AND   FIND,   OB 

"There  is  no  danger.  She  would  be  in  the  water 
half  the  time  if  I  would  let  her.  She  is  a  trouble 
some  girl." 

Mrs.  Loraine  certainly  took  the  matter  quite  coolly, 
and  did  not  seem  to  realize  or  to  believe  that  the 
troublesome  miss  had  actually  jumped  into  the  lake 
to  escape  from  her  cruelty.  She  told  Kate  to  get 
out  of  the  boat,  and  go  into  the  house.  The  terrified 
girl  obeyed  in  silence,  and  with  trembling  frame. 

"Go  to  your  room,  and  put  on  dry  clothes,"  she 
added,  as  Kate  walked  up  the  pier.  ".She  is  a  very 
naughty  girl;  but  I  am  much  obliged  to  you,  young 
gentlemen,  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  on  her 
account." 

"  We  were  very  glad  to  serve  her,"  I  replied,  fast 
ening  the  painter  of  my  boat  to  a  ring  in  the  pier, 
as  the  lady  walked  towards  the  house. 

Bob  and  I  stepped  on  shore  and  followed  her  — 
a  movement  which  seemed  to  annoy  her  very  much; 
but  we  were  too  decidedly  in  earnest  to  care  what 
she  thought  or  felt.  Without  any  consultation  with 
my  companion,  I  had  by  this  time  made  up  my  mind 
that  Miss  Kate  had  the  rights  of  the  case;  that 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  35 

Mrs.  Lornine  was  a  female  tyrant.  I  did  not  con 
sider  that  her  family  affairs  did  not  concern  me,  and 
I  had  already  concluded  to  adopt  the  policy  of  in 
tervention,  without  regard  to  consequences. 

Mrs.  Loraine  was  a  lady,  so  far  as  her  manners 
were  concerned.  There  was  nothing  coarse  or  brutal 
about  her.  Like  our  old  enemy,  Mr.  Parasyte,  she 
appeared  to  be  a  refined  tyrant,  whose  oppression 
was  all  the  more  intolerable  because  it  was  smooth 
and  polished.  The  lady  walked  at  a  dignified  pace 
towards  the  house,  and  we  followed  her  at  a  respect 
ful  distance.  Occasionally  she  glanced  half  round,  so 
that  she  could  see  us,  but  she  did  not  challenge  us 
in  regard  to  our  intentions. 

u  What  are  you  going  to  do,  Ernest  ? "  asked  Bob 
Hale,  in  a  low  tone. 

"I  hardly  know  yet.  We  will  follow  the  matter 
up,  and  when  we  get  a  little  farther  into  it  we  shall 
know  better  what  to  do,"  I  replied.  "I  think  we 
will  stop  here  a  while,  and  let  things  take  their 
course." 

We  halted,  and  busied  ourselves  in  examining  a 
parterre  of  flowers,  while  the  lady  continued  on  her 
way,  and  entered  the  house  at  a  side  door. 


86  SEEK    AND    FJTNT),    OR 

"  I  don't  know  about  this  business,"  said  Bob,  when 
Mrs.  Loraine  was  no  longer  within  hearing. 

"  I  do,"  I  answered  decidedly.  "  I'm  as  clear  as  a 
quill  in  regard  to  it." 

"What  are  you  going  to  do?" 

"I'm  going  to  get  the  young  lady  out  of  the 
scrape,  by  hook  or  by  crook.  Since  I  have  seen  this 
woman,  I  am  satisfied  that  Miss  Kate  did  not  tell 
us  more  than  half  of  the  truth." 

"What  can  you  do?" 

"Just  as  soon  as  Kate  has  had  time  to  put  on 
dry  clothes,  we  will  call  upon  her  to  inquire  for  her 
health.  We  can't  do  any  thing  less  than  that,  after 
we  have  pulled  her  out  of  the  lake." 

"We  can  certainly  do  that,  but  it  seems  to  me 
that  is  about  all  we  can  do." 

"  I  don't  know ;  we  will  see,"  I  replied,  not  quite 
willing  yet  to  tell  my  prudent  friend  what  I  intend 
ed  ;  not  that  he  would  be  behind  me  in  carrying  out 
any  good  work,  but  because  he  was  rather  fond  of 
arguing  against  bold  measures. 

We  waited  about  half  an  hour,  but  we  were  not 
unobserved ;  for  through  the  Venetian  blinds  I  saw 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  37 

Mrs.  Lovaine  several  times  in  the  act  of  watching 
our  movements.  It  was  plain  enough  to  me  that 
we  were  not  welcome  visitors,  and  that  the  lady  was 
not  a  little  disturbed  by  our  presence.  We  went  up 
to  the  side  door,  where  she  had  entered,  and  rang 
the  bell.  The  summons  was  answered  by  the  servant 
girl,  who,  when  we  asked  to  see  Mrs.  Loraine,  invited 
us  to  the  sitting-room.  I  judged  that  we  had  unwit 
tingly  chosen  an  opportune  moment  for  our  entrance, 
for  Kate's  persecutor  was  not  in  the  room,  and  prob 
ably  had  not  noticed  our  appi'oach.  If  she  had,  it 
is  very  likely  she  would  not  have  permitted  us  to 
come  in. 

Through  the  open  door  we  saw  her  come  down 
the  stairs.  She  looked  vexed  and  annoyed  when 
she  discovered  who  her  visitors  were,  and  sailed  into 
the  room  with  an  exhibition  of  hauteur  which  might 
have  produced  a  strong  impression  on  a  couple  of 
smaller  boys  than  Bob  and  myself. 

"We  called  to  inquire  for  Miss  Kate,"  I  began, 
after  I  had  risen  from  my  chair,  and  made  the  po 
litest  bow  I  was  capable  of  making. 

M  She  is  quite  well,"  replied  Mrs.  Loraine,  coolly. 


38  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OE 

"I  hope  she  has  not  suffered  from  the  cold  bath 
she  took  in  the  lake,"  I  continued. 

"Not  at  all." 

"  She  was  very  much  agitated  and  distressed." 

"  She  will  get  over  that." 

"We  would  like  to  see  her,  if  you  please,"  I 
added,  coming  to  the  point  without  any  more  par 
leying. 

"It  would  not  be  convenient  for  her  to  see  you 
this  evening,"  answered  Mrs.  Loraine,  with  more  em 
phasis  than  an  ordinary  case  seemed  to  require. 

"I  am  sorry,  for  we  desire  very  much  to  see  her; 
indeed,  we  promised  to  see  her  after  she  had  changed 
her  clothes." 

"  Well,  young  gentlemen,  I  will  assure  her  you  have 
kept  your  promise,  which  will  be  sufficient  to  relieve 
you  from  any  charge  of  want  of  fidelity,"  said  she. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  Mrs.  Loraine,  but  if  it  isn't 
too  much  trouble,  we  would  like  very  much  to  see 
Miss  Kate." 

"It  would  be  no  trouble  at  all,  but  it  would  be 
entirely  inconsistent  with  my  purposes  to  have  her 
leave  her  room  to-night,"  answered  she,  haughtily. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  39 

"At  what  hour  to-morrow  could  we  see  her,"  I 
asked. 

"It  would  not  be  proper  at  any  hour  to-morrow 
for  you  to  see  her.  Kate  is  a  wilful  and  disobedient 
girl,  and  I  find  it  necessary  to  permit  her  to  see  no 
one,  in  her  present  frame  of  mind." 

"Perhaps  I  ought  to  tell  you,  Mrs.  Loraine,  that 
Kate  very  strongly  objected  to  returning  to  her 
home,  and  begged  us  to  land  her  any  where  —  in 
the  woods  —  rather  than  bring  her  back  to  you,"  I 
added. 

"  Did  she,  indeed ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Loraine,  her 
face  becoming  very  red.  "Then  she  is  even  more 
wilful  than  I  supposed." 

"It  was  only  by  the  promise  to  see  her,  that  we 
induced  her  to  land  here." 

"You  behaved  very  properly  in  returning  her  to 
me,  and  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  your  con 
sideration.  It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  detail  to 
you,  who  are  strangers  to  me,  the  troubles  I  expe 
rience  in  my  domestic  affaire;  and  you  are  too  gen 
tlemanly  to  wish  to  pry  into  them." 

"Excuse  me,  but  when  a  young  lady  becomes  so 


40  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

desperate  as  to  jump  overboard,  it  seems  to  me  she 
must  be  in  a  very  bad  condition." 

"  That  was  all  a  sham.  Perhaps  I  have  indulged 
her  too  much,  and  not  begun  early  enough  to  sub 
due  her  violent  temper.  She  is  very  wilful,  and  needs 
stern  discipline." 

"Do  you  think  it  was  fair  to  keep  her  in  a  room 
a  week  for  taking  too  long  stitches,  or  for  treading 
on  a  flower?" 

She  looked  at  me,  and  turned  red  again. 

"I  see  that  Kate  has  been  indelicate  enough  to 
tell  you  about  our  family  affairs.  Of  course  you 
have  sufficient  discretion  to  disbelieve  such  ridicu 
lous  stories." 

"After  pulling  her  out  of  the  lake,  we  were  much 
interested  in  her.  We  don't  wish  to  interfere,  but  I 
suppose  there  can  be  no  harm  in  telling  us  what 
you  did  shut  her  up  a  week  or  ten  days  for." 

"I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you,  young  gentlemen, 
for  what  you  have  done;  but  1  cannot  submit  to  be 
called  to  an  account  for  my  conduct  in  my  own 
family.  I  must  ask  you  to  excuse  me  now,  for  I 
have  an  engagement  at  this  hour." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  4\ 

It  was  evident  to  me  that  we  could  find  out  noth 
ing  about  Kate  from  her;  but  the  look  of  malignity 
she  wore  on  her  face  when  she  spoke  of  her  step 
daughter  was  the  best  kind  of  testimony  to  me.  I 
rose  from  my  chair,  and  moved  towards  the  door, 
followed  by  Bob  Hale.  We  bade  the  lady  good 
evening,  and  she  closed  the  door  behind  us. 

Just  as  we  were  going  down  the  steps,  a  buggy, 
drawn  by  two  handsome  horses,  came  up  to  the 
door,  which  assured  us  that  the  lady's  engagement 
was  not  a  pretence  used  to  get  rid  of  us.  The 
horses  were  driven  by  a  gayly-dressed  gentleman. 
When  he  alighted,  and  I  obtained  a  fair  view  of  his 
face  and  form,  I  was  considerably  interested  in  him, 
for  I  had  seen  him  before. 

It  was  the  gentleman  I  had  seen  at  the  cottage, 
with  whom  my  uncle  Amos  had  had  some  hard 
words.  He  was  in  some  way  connected  with  my 
silent  guardian,  and  I  was  very  anxious  to  know 
who  and  what  he  was,  for  such  information  might 
be  the  key  to  the  mystery  which  shrouded  my  exist* 
ence.  For  the  moment  I  forgot  all  about  Kate. 

"Come  along,  Ernest,"  said  Bob,  when  I  paused 
to  observe  the  gentleman. 


42  SEEK    AND    FIND,   OB 

"Go  down  to  the  boat,  Bob,  and  I  will  be  with 
you  in  a  few  minutes." 

I  stepped  into  a  path  where  the  foliage  concealed 
me;  but  I  saw  the  gentleman  looking  down  the 
drive-way  as  if  to  obtain  a  second  view  of  me,  for 
I  had  observed  before  that  he  appeared  to  recognize 
me. 

-'I  will  be  ready  in  a  moment,  Tom,"  said  Mrs. 
Loraine,  opening  the  front  door. 

Tom!  He  was  a  constant  visitor,  or  she  would 
not  be  thus  familiar  with  him.  "Who  was  Tom?  I 
wished  she  had  called  him  by  his  surname.  As  I 
gazed  at  his  face,  while  he  sat  in  the  buggy,  I  fan 
cied  that  it  bore  some  resemblance  to  that  of  my 
uncle. 

This  man  had  a  quarrel  with  my  misanthropic 
guardian.  I  had  lived  at  the  cottage  with  uncle 
Amos  from  early  childhood.  I  could  faintly  remem 
ber  a  weary  waste  of  waters  before  I  came  to  Park- 
ville,  —  in  which  the  cottage  was  located,  —  but  noth 
ing  more.  During  the  preceding  year  I  had  drawn 
it  out  of  my  uncle  that  my  father  was  dead,  and 
ray  mother  an  inmate  of  an  insane  asylum,  and  that 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    SMART   BOY.  43 

no  property  was  left  for  me  by  my  parents.  Who 
they  were,  where  my  father  died,  or  where  my  moth 
er  was  imprisoned,  he  refused  to  tell  me. 

This  gentleman  who  sat  in  the  buggy  had  been 
to  the  cottage  several  times.  High  words  had  gen 
erally  attended  his  visits.  I  had  once  asked  my 
uncle  who  he  was,  and  the  fact  that  an  answer  was 
refused,  was  enough  to  assure  me  that  a  better 
knowledge  of  him  would  assist  me  in  finding  a  clew 
to  my  own  history. 

Mrs.  Loraine  appeared  at  the  door,  and  "  Tom " 
nimbly  leaped  from  his  seat,  and  assisted  her  into 
the  buggy. 

"Who  was  that  young  fellow  that  came  out  of 
the  house  as  I  drove  up?"  asked  he,  as  he  took  his 
place  at  her  side. 

"Ernest  Thornton,"  replied  the  lady. 

"  Whew  1 "  exclaimed  he,  as  he  drove  off 


44  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 


CHAPTER  IV. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST    RELEASES     THE     CAPTIVE    MAIDEN 
FROM   HER   PRISON. 

WHAT  the  precise  signification  was  of  the 
"  whew ! "  which  the  gentlemanly  Tom  had 
uttered,  I  did  not  know ;  but  it  seemed  to  indicate 
that  he  was  not  particularly  pleased  to  learn  that  I 
had  been  a  visitor  at  the  house.  I  felt  that  there 
was  work  for  me  to  do,  which  I  could  commence 
at  once  by  following  out  the  clew  afforded  me  by 
Mrs.  Loraine's  visitor.  My  first  business  was  to  as 
certain  who  this  gentleman  was.  Doubtless  any  one 
in  the  house  could  tell  me.  Probably  Kate  knew 
all  about  him,  and  I  was  all  the  more  eager  to  see 
her. 

I  walked  down  to  the  pier  in  a  brown  study. 
Mrs.  Loraine  had  positively  refused  to  let  me  see 
Kate,  at  the  present  time  or  in  the  future.  She  was 


THE   ADVEXTTJRES   OP   A   SMART  BOY.  45 

again  confined  to  her  room,  not  to  leave  it,  I  judged, 
for  weeks,  unless  I  put  my  plan  of  intervention  into 
execution.  Her  oppressor  was  away,  and  the  present 
seemed  to  be  the  most  favorable  time  for  releasing 
the  captive. 

M  Come,  Ernest,  are  you  going  home,  or  not  ? " 
called  Bob,  who  was  getting  impatient  at  my  delay. 

"Not  yet,  Bob;  there  is  something  for  us  to  do 
before  we  go." 

"What's   that?" 

"I  don't  intend  to  leave  Miss  Kate  here." 

"I  don't  see  what  we  can  do  about  it,"  said  he. 

"I  haven't  any  idea  of  leaving  her  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  that  tigress.  She  shall  be  a  passenger  in 
the  Splash,"  I  added,  as  I  stepped  into  the  boat,  and 
sat  down  in  the  standing-room.  "  I  want  to  see  her 
for  my  own  sake  as  well  as  hers.  I've  had  an  idea 
since  you  left  me." 

"An  idea?"  queried  he. 

"Yes,  a  big  idea.  You  know  my  story  as  well 
as  I  know  it  myself,  and  I  don't  mean  to  keep  any 
thing  from  you." 

"What's  up,  Ernest?" 


46  SEEK    AND    FIXD,    OB 

"  I  want  to  know  who  and  what  I  am ;  and  I'm 
going  to  find  out,  if  there  is  any  such  thing.  I  told 
you  about  a  well-dressed  fellow  who  has  been  to  the 
cottage  of  my  uncle  several  times." 

"  I  remember  all  about  him.  He  quarrelled  with 
your  uncle,  you  said." 

"  That's  the  man.  Well,  Bob,  the  fellow  that  drove 
up  in  that  two-horse  buggy,  as  we  came  out  of  the 
house,  was  the  very  one  who  came  to  the  cottage." 

"Is  that  so?" 

"That's  so." 

"  Does  he  live  in  Cannondale  ?  " 

"I  don't  know  where  he  lives.  I  heard  Mrs.  Lo- 
raine  call  him  Tom,  and  that's  all  I  know  about  him. 
I'm  going  to  find  out  who  he  is." 

"  If  you  can." 

"Kate  must  know  who  he  is,  for  he  seems  to  be 
R  regular  visitor  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Loraine." 

"Well,  what  are  you  going  to  do  about  it?" 

"  I'm  going  to  get  Kate  out  of  the  house." 

"How,  Ernest?" 

"  I  don't  exactly  know  yet,  but  I  shall  find  a  way." 

"Don't  you  think  that  would  be  rather  high 
handed  ?  " 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  47 

"I  can't  help  it  if  it  is.  I  would  just  as  lief  raise 
a  breeze  over  here  as  not." 

"  We  shall  get  into  a  scrape,  Ernest." 

"I  won't  drag  you  into  it,  Bob.  You  may  stay 
on  the  boat  —  " 

"No,  I  won't!  Fm  ready  to  take  my  share  in 
the  enterprise." 

"I'm   satisfied   this  girl    is   abused,   and    it    would 

be  mean  in  us  to  leave  her  to  her  fate.      It's  nearly 

• 

dark  now,  and  there  isn't  any  one  in  the  garden. 
I'm  going  up  to  take  a  look.  Kate  said  her  room 
was  in  the  attic." 

"Yes;  that's  the  one  with  the  blinds  closed." 
I  landed  again,  and  Bob  went  with  me  up  to  the 
house.  There  was  no  one  in  sight,  and  nothing  to 
prevent  our  doing  the  work  AVC  had  undertaken  im 
mediately.  After  examining  the  premises,  I  concluded 
that  we  must  release  the  captive  maiden  by  means  of 
the  window.  It  would  not  be  prudent  to  enter  by 
the  door,  which  was  probably  locked  in  the  absence 
of  the  lady. 

I  visited  the  stable  on  the  grounds  in  search  of 
a  rope ;  but  I  found  there  a  ladder,  which  suited  me 


48  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

better.  With  the  assistance  of  Bob,  I  carried  this 
to  the  rear  of  the  house,  and  raised  it  to  the  win 
dow.  I  ascended  to  the  window,  and  found  that 
the  blinds  were  nailed  on  the  outside,  so  that  they 
could  not  be  opened.  This  was  some  confirmation 
of  the  truth  of  Kate's  story.  I  descended  again, 
and  found  a  hammer  in  the  stable,  with  which  I 
returned  and  removed  the  nails. 

"Kate!"  I  called,  as  soon  as  I  had  opened  the 
blinds. 

"  O,  Ernest  Thornton ! "  exclaimed  she,  opening 
the  window.  "I  felt  sure  that  you  had  deserted  me. 
I  am  so  glad  you  have  come  ! " 

"We  have  no  time  to  spare.  Get  your  clothes  as 
quick  as  possible;  tie  them  up  in  a  bundle,  and 
throw  them  out  the  window." 

She  did  not  occupy  many  minutes  in  this  prepa 
ration  for  her  departure.  The  bundle  was  made  .up 
ind  thrown  to  the  ground. 

"How  am  I  to  get  out?"  asked  she,  glancing 
blankly  at  the  ladder. 

"  Can  you  go  down  stairs  and  go  out  by  the 
door?"  I  asked,  willing  to  spare  her  the  descent  by 
the  ladder. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  49 

"1  cannot;  the  door  is  locked,"  she  replied,  in 
trembling  tones,  for  she  was  violently  agitated  by 
the  situation. 

"  Then  you  must  go  down  by  the  ladder,"  I  added, 
ascending  a  few  rounds  higher.  "  Now  give  me  your 
hands,  and  don't  be  afraid,  for  I  can  hold  you  so 
that  you  cannot  fall." 

I  braced  myself  upon  the  ladder,  which  I  directed 
Bob  to  hold  firmly  in  its  place,  and  took  her  by 
both  hands.  It  was  a  perilous  feat  to  step  from  the 
window  to  the  ladder,  and  she  was  so  terrified  that 
[  held  her  whole  weight ;  but  the  passage  was  safely 
effected.  I  held  her  by  the  hands  till  she  reached 
the  ground,  for  she  was  so  timid  I  dared  not  trust 
her  to  her  own  energies.  I  went  up  again,  closed 
the  blinds,  and  restored  the  nails,  hoping  thj>t  the 
escape  of  the  prisoner  would  not  be  discovert  1  be 
fore  the  next  day.  The  ladder  was  conveyed  \o  the 
stable,  and  placed  where  we  had  found  it. 

"Now  run  doAvn  to  the  pier  and  get  into  the  boat 
as  fast  as  you  can,"  said  I  to  Kate.    "  Crawl  iut j  tbo 
cuddy,  and  keep  out  of  sight." 
4 


50  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"Do  you  think  any  one  will  catch  me?"  asked 
she,  quivering  with  terror. 

"No;  there  is  no  person  near  to  catch  you,"  I 
replied,  as  I  picked  up  her  bundle  of  clothes. 

We  reached  the  boat  without  meeting  any  person, 
though  Mrs.  Loraine's  man  drove  the  cow  into  the 
yard  just  as  we  were  pushing  off  from  the  pier.  I 
had  only  lowered  the  jib  of  the  Splash,  so  that  she 
was  ready  to  start  without  any  delay ;  and  in  a  fe\r 
moments  we  were  standing  up  the  lake,  the  breeze 
still  fresh  from  the  north-west. 

"You  may  come  out  now,  Kate,"  I  called  to 
our  passenger,  when  we  were  half  a  mile  from  the 
pier. 

"  Am  I  perfectly  safe  ? "  she  asked,  timidly,  as  she 
crawled  out  of  the  cuddy. 

"Yes;  no  one  can  see  you  now.  Sit  down  on  this 
seat,  and  don't  be  alarmed." 

"What  shall  we  do  with  Miss  Loraine  now  we 
have  released  her?"  asked  Bob,  as  she  sat  down  by 
his  side  in  the  standing-room. 

"  I  don't  know,"  I  replied.  "  We  will  settle  that 
question  before  we  go  on  shore.  "  What  did  Mrs. 


THB    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  51 

Loraine  do  to  you  when  you  went  into  the  house, 
Kate?" 

u  She  spoke  to  me  very  severely,  and  sent  me  to 
my  room.  She  told  me  I  should  not  come  out  again 
for  a  month." 

"She  was  mistaken  this  time,  if  she  never  was 
before,"  said  Bob,  with  a  congratulatory  smile. 

"She  was,  indeed;  and  O,  I'm  so  thankful  to  you!" 

"Do  you  know  where  Mrs.  Loraine  has  gone  now?" 
I  asked,  approaching  the  subject  which  was  so  near 
my  own  heart. 

"I  don't;  I  heard  a  carriage  drive  up  the  yard.  I 
suppose  she  has  gone  out  to  ride,"  replied  Kate. 

"A  gentleman  drove  up  to  the  door  in  a  two- 
horse  buggy.  Do  you  know  who  the  gentleman 
was  ?  "  I  asked,  anxiously.  "  Mrs.  Loraine  called  him 
Tom." 

"  O,  that  was  Mr.  Thornton,"  she  answered. 

"  Mr.  Thornton  ! "   I  exclaimed. 

"  Yes ;  is  he  any  relation  to  you ! " 

"Not  that  I  am  aware  of,"  I  replied,  musing  upon 
che  fact  that  he  bore  my  name. 

"He  often    comes  to  see  Mrs.  Loraine,  and   people 


52  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

,say    they  are    engaged    to    be    married,"    continued 
Kate. 

"  Where  does  he  live  ?  " 

"I'm  not  very  sure,  but  I  think  it  is  in  Philadel 
phia.  lie  stays  at  the  Cannondale  Hotel  about  a  week 
at  a  time,  and  comes  to  Mrs.  Loraine's  every  day." 

"How  often  does  he  come  to  Cannondale?" 

"  Every  two  or  three  months,  I  should  think.  But 
I  don't  see  much  of  him.  I  have  been  kept  in  my 
chamber  most  of  the  time,"  she  added,  sadly. 

"Did  you  ever  hear  him  speak  about  Amos  Thorn 
ton,  my  uncle?" 

"  Never." 

"  You  say  he  is  going  to  be  Mrs.  Loraine's  hus 
band." 

"That's  what  people  say;  I  don't  know  anything 
about  it,  only  that  he  is  veiy  often  at  the  house." 

"Do  you  know  anything  about  Mr.  Thornton?" 
I  continued.  "  Is  he  rich  ?  " 

"I  don't  know  whether  he  is  or  not.  I  think  he 
must  be.  He  always  takes  her  out  to  ride  with  a 
Bpan  of  fine  horses." 

"Is  Mrs.  Loraine  very  rich   herself?" 


THK    ADVENTUBES    OF   A    SMART    EOT.  53 

"  She  is  not  very  rich  herself.  She  has  what  my 
father  left  her  by  his  will." 

"  Of  course  your  father  left  something  to  you," 
added  Bob  Hale. 

"  Mr.  Windleton  called  me  a  little  heiress  two  years 
ago,  and  said  I  should  have  forty  thousand  dollars 
when  I  was  old  enough  to  receive  it." 

"Who  is  Mr.  Windleton?" 

"  He  was  a  great  friend  of  my  father.  He  keeps 
the  money  that  belongs  to  me.  I  forget  what  they 
.rail  him." 

"A  trustee,"  suggested.  Bob,  who  was  somewhat 
earned  in  the  law. 

"Yes;  that's  what  he  said  he  was.  My  father 
gave  his  wife  only  half  as  much  as  he  gave  me ; 
but  I  wish  he  had  given  her  all  of  his  property," 
said  Kate,  looking  over  into  the  water. 

"Why  do  you  wish  so?"  I  asked. 

"I  think  she  would  have  been  kinder  to  me.  Mr. 
Windleton's  daughter  Ellen  told  me,  if  I  should  die, 
that  my  money  would  go  to  Mrs.  Loraine.  I  don't 
know  whether  it  is  true  or  not ; "  and  without  any 
apparent  reason,  Kate  burst  into  tears. 


54  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

Bob  and  I  comforted  her  as  well  as  we  could. 

"I'm  afraid,"  she  continued,  when  she  had  wiped 
away  her  tears,  "  she  hopes  I  shall  die." 

"  I  guess  not,"  I  added.     "  That  would  be  horrible." 

"  Why  does  she  treat  me  so  then  —  not  even  let 
me  look  out  the  window  ?  "  sobbed  she.  "  I  think 
she  wants  my  money.  I  have  tried  to  think  it  was 
not  so,  but  I  can't,  ever  since  Ellen  Windleton  told 
me  that." 

"Why  don't  you  tell  Mr.  Windleton  how  your 
step-mother  treats  you  ?  "  asked  Bob. 

"  He  and  his  whole  family  are  in  Europe.  They 
have  been  there  more  than  a  year.  I  shall  tell  him 
when  he  comes  back ;  but  Mrs.  Loraine  is  my  guar 
dian." 

a  Ernest,  we  are  almost  over  to  Parkville,  and  it  is 
time  to  know  what  we  are  to  do  with  Miss  Lo 
raine.  It  won't  do  to  take  her  to  Parkville,"  said 
Bob. 

"I  will  stay  in  the  boat  all  night.  That's  a  nice 
little  place  in  there,"  interposed  Kate,  pointing  to  the 
cuddy. 

"You  may   go   in    there    now,   if  you   please,"    I 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  55 

added.  "  I  will  land  you,  Bob,  and  take  care  of  Kate 
myself.  It  is  quite  dark  now,  and  I  can  take  her 
up  to  the  cottage.  No  one  will  find  her  there." 

"  What  will  your  uncle  say  ?  " 

"  He  will  not  see  her ;  if  he  does,  he  won't  Bay 
anything;  he  never  says  anything." 

My  friend  was  entirely  willing  to  take  his  share 
of  the  responsibility,  but  I  was  satisfied  that  I  could 
dispose  of  my  fair  passenger  without  any  assistance. 
I  landed  him  at  the  steamboat  pier,  and  then  stood 
over  towards  the  cottage. 


56  '.  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OB 


CHAPTER  V. 

IN    WHICH     ERNEST    IS     AWAKENED     BY     A     LOUD 
KNOCKING. 


Splash  continued  on  her  course  up  the  lake, 
-L  after  I  had  landed  Bob  Hale.  It  was  quite 
dark,  and  I  told  Kate  she  need  not  stay  in  the  cud 
dy  any  longer.  She  came  out,  and  sat  down  near 
me.  I  was  still  in  doubt  as  to  what  I  should  do 
with  her;  and  now  that  Bob  had  left  me,  the  prob 
lem  seemed  more  difficult  than  before.  Mrs.  Loraine 
was  not  a  woman  to  let  the  matter  rest  where  it 
was.  She  was  full  of  spirit  and  vindictiveness,  and 
as  she  was  the  legal  guardian  of  Kate,  she  would 
not  let  her  escape  pass  unnoticed. 

In  the  morning,  if  not  before,  it  would  be  discov 
ered  that  the  bird  had  flown.  After  the  interest  Bob 
and  I  had  manifested  in  the  welfare  of  the  young 
lady,  her  guardian  would  know  where  to  apply  for 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  57 

information,  and  I  might  expect  to  hear  from  her  in 
the  course  of  twenty-four  hours,  and  it  was  not  im 
probable  that  the  search  would  be  commenced  that 
very  evening.  I  told  Kate,  as  we  sailed  along,  that 
her  absence  would  create  a  tempest  in  the  household 
of  her  step-mother,  and  that  we  must  be  prepared  for 
vigorous  proceedings  on  her  part. 

"  I  hope  I  haven't  got  you  into  trouble,  Ernest 
Thornton,"  said  she,  her  tones  indicating  much  anxi 
ety. 

"Never  mind  me,  Kate.  I  am  used  to  trouble, 
and  I  can  stand  anything.  I  only  hope  I  shall  be 
able  to  keep  you  safe  from  your  enemies." 

"  Can't  I  stay  in  this  boat  ?  That  cabin  is  a  nice 
place ;  I  am  sure  it  seems  like  a  fairy  palace  to  me, 
compared  with  my  prison  house  in  the  attic  cham 
ber." 

"You  might  stay  in  the  cabin  a  day  or  two;  but 
of  course  you  can't  live  there  for  any  great  length 
of  time.  You  say  you  have  an  uncle  in  New  York 
city." 

"  I  have.  If  I  could  only  find  him  I  should  be 
safe.  I  never  saw  him,  at  least  not  since  I  can  re- 


58  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

member;  but  as  he  is  my  father's  brother,  he  must 
be  something  like  my  father,  and  he  will  take  care 
of  me.7* 

"How  can  we  get  you  to  New  York?  That's 
the  question." 

M  If  I  could  only  reach  the  railroad,  I  should  not 
be  afraid  to  go  alone,"  she  added,  earnestly.  "  I  am 
sure  I  could  find  my  uncle,  for  his  name  is  not  a 
very  common  one." 

"But  I  don't  think  it  would  be  safe  for  you  to 
go  alone.  We  must  manage  that  some  way  or  other, 
though  I  hardly  know  how.  It  will  need  some 
money  to  pay  your  fare." 

"  Dear  me !  so  it  will ! "  exclaimed  she,  blankly. 
"  And  I  haven't  a  single  cent ! " 

"  Never  mind,  Kate ;  we  will  manage  that.  I  can 
raise  the  money  for  you,  and  see  that  you  get  to 
New  York." 

"You  are  very  kind,  Ernest  Thornton,"  replied 
she,  warmly.  "  I  shall  have  plenty  of  money  some 
time,  and  will  pay  you  back  every  cent." 

"  There  will  be  no  trouble  about  that,"  I  added. 
"I  am  only  thinking  how  I  shall  get  you  safely  to 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  59 

your  destination  ;  but  I  am  going  to  do  it  somehow  or 
other.  Are  you  not  afraid  to  stay  in  the  boat  all 
night?" 

"  O,  no !  I'm  not  afraid  of  anything  but  my  attic 
chamber." 

"My  cabin  isn't  a  bad  place  to  stay  in.  I  have 
slept  there  a  great  many  nights,  in  all  parts  of  the 
lake,  sometimes  miles  from  any  house." 

"  I'm  not  a  bit  afraid,  Ernest  Thornton.  Why,  the 
cabin  is  a  splendid  place,  and  there  are  two  nice  beds 
there.  I'm  sure  I  don't  want  any  better  room  than 
that.  I  could  live  there  a  whole  year." 

"You  will  not  have  to  stay  there  long.  Just  as 
soon  as  I  can  get  the  money,  and  find  some  one  to 
go  with  you  to  New  York,  I  shall  sail  up  the  creek, 
where  there  is  a  railroad  station,  and  you  shall  start 
for  New  York.  Now  we  are  almost  to  the  cottage 
of  my  uucle,  and  you  had  better  keep  out  of  sight, 
for  I  don't  want  any  one  to  see  you." 

She  crawled  into  the  cuddy,  and  sat  down  on  one 
of  the  berths.  I  always  moored  the  Splash  about  ten 
rods  from  the  shore,  so  that  she  could  lie  in  the 
deep  water.  The  row-boat  in  which  I  came  off  to 


60  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

her  was  fastened  to  the  buoy,  so  that  I  easily  found 
the  place  in  the  darkness,  and  made  fast  to  the 
moorings.  I  lowered  my  sails,  and  put  every  thing 
in  order  as  usual. 

"Now,  Kate,  I  think  you  will  be  perfectly  cafe 
here.  I  will  bring  you  off  some  supper  very  soon." 

"I  don't  need  any  supper.  Mrs.  Loraine  sent  me 
some  before  she  went  out  to  ride ;  but  I  could  not 
eat  a  mouthful." 

"  No  matter ;  I  will  bring  off  something,  and  see 
you  again  to-night." 

I  went  ashore  in  the  row-boat.  My  supper  was 
waiting  for  me  in  the  dining-room.  After  I  had 
finished  the  meal,  I  buttered  several  slices  of  bread, 
and  wrapped  them  in  a  napkin,  with  some  cheese 
and  some  cake.  Probably  old  Betsey,  the  housekeep 
er,  thought  I  had  a  ravenous  appetite  that  night ; 
but  she  never  asked  any  questions,  or  expressed  any 
surprise  at  anything  which  occurred  at  the  cottage. 
I  pulled  off  to  the  boat  again,  and  gave  the  contents 
of  the  napkin  to  Kate. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  can't  light  the  lantern,  Kate,"  I 
added,  as  I  handed  her  the  provisions;  "but  I'm 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    EOT.  61 

afraid  it  would  betray  you,  if  Mrs.  Loraine  should 
happen  to  come  here  in  search  of  you  to-night." 

"  I  don't  care  to  have  a  light.  I  am  so  rejoiced 
to  get  away  from  my  prison  that  I  don't  care  for 
anything,"  said  she,  with  enthusiasm.  "  You  don't 
know  how  much  I  have  suffered  over  there,  Kmest 
Thornton." 

w  I  hope  you  have  seen  the  last  of  it ;  but  we  must 
be  very  careful.  In  the  morning  you  must  stay  in 
your  cabin,  for  my  uncle  gets  up  very  early,  and 
walks  all  about  the  place.  You  must  not  let  him 
see  you  on  any  account." 

"I  will  not.  I  will  be  as  careful  as  you  can  de- 
sire." 

"In  the  morning  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  do 
something  with  you." 

"  I  shall  trust  myself  wholly  to  you,  Ernest  Thorn 
ton,  and  one  of  these  days  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
repay  you  for  your  goodness  to  me." 

"  Never  mind  that,  Kate ;  I  am  going  to  do  what 
I  think  is  right  because  it  is  right.  I  suppose  you 
thought  it  was  rather  hard  in  me  to  take  you  ashore 
at  the  pier  over  there,  this  afternoon ;  but  I'm  sure 


62  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

I  shouldn't  have  dared  to  do  what  I  have  done  if  I 
hadn't  seen  Mrs.  Loraine,  and  satisfied  myself  that 
she  ill-treated  you." 

"  I  think  you  did  just  right,  Ernest  Thornton ;  but 
I  was  willing  to  suffer  rather  than  get  you  into 
trouble." 

"I  don't  care  for  myself;  it  don't  make  much  dif 
ference  what  happens  to  me.  If  I  can  only  enable 
you  to  reach  your  uncle  in  New  York  city,  that  is 
all  I  want.  But  it  is  getting  late  now,  and  I  think 
you  had  better  go  to  sleep.  You  can  do  as  I  do, 
Kate,  when  I  sleep  on  board.  I  always  lock  myself  in." 

I  explained  to  her  how  this  was  done.  There 
were  two  doors  opening  into  the  cuddy,  one  on  each 
side  of  the  mainmast,  with  a  slide  over  each.  Out 
side  of  these  doors  were  two  round  holes,  which  I 
had  sawed  in  the  bulkhead  for  ventilation.  By 
reaching  the  arm  through  one  of  these  apertures  the 
slide  could  be  locked.  I  fastened  Kate  into  the 
cuddy,  and  then  gave  her  the  key,  with  which  she 
opened  the  door  without  difficulty  herself. 

"I  shall  keep  a  good  lookout  for  you,"  said  I,  as 
I  pulled  my  tender  alongside. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  63 

"  I  am  not  a  bit  afraid,  Ernest  Thornton,"  replied 
she.  "  I  shall  pray  for  you,  and  thank  God  for  giv 
ing  me  such  a  good  friend." 

"  Good  night,"  I  added,  speaking  through  the 
round  hole. 

"  Good  night ;  and  don't  worry  about  me,"  replied 
she. 

So  far  as  her  comfort  was  concerned,  there  was 
not  the  least  need  of  worrying  about  her,  for  the 
cabin  of  the  Splash  was  a  miniature  parlor.  There 
were  two  good  hair  mattresses  in  the  berths,  with 
plenty  of  bed-clothes.  The  floor  was  carpeted,  and 
there  was  every  convenience  which  so  small  an  apart 
ment  could  contain.  I  had  slept  there  for  a  week 
together;  and  when  my  xincle  had  banished  me  from 
his  house,  I  had  intended  to  live  on  board  of  her  all 
the  time,  and  earn  my  living  by  carrying  out  parties. 
So  long  as  no  one  disturbed  her,  I  had  no  fears  in 
regard  to  my  guest  in  the  boat. 

But  I  was  very  much  troubled  about  the  final  dis* 
posal  of  her.  It  would  not  be  safe  for  her  to  go  to 
New  York  alone.  It  might  be  several  days  before 
she  found  her  uncle,  and  it  was  not  proper  to  subject 


64  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 

a  young  girl  like  her  to  the  perils  of  the  great  city 
without  a  protector.  I  had  no  objection  to  making 
a  trip  to  New  York  myself.  The  spring  vacation 
would  commence  on  the  following  Monday,  and  I 
could  be  absent  from  home  a  whole  week  without 
being  missed,  if  I  kept  the  Splash  out  of  sight,  for 
my  uncle  would  suppose  I  was  off  on  a  cruise  in 
her. 

This  plan  pleased  me,  and  I  determined  to  carry 
it  out.  School  kept  but  two  days  more  before  the 
vacation,  and  if  I  could  only  keep  Kate  out  of  sight 
till  Monday,  everything  would  work  well.  The  finan 
cial  question  was  not  a  difficult  one  to  manage.  I 
calculated  that  about  thirty  dollars  would  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  trip  to  the  metropolis ;  and  uncle 
Amos  would  give  me  this  sum  or  more,  without  ask 
ing  a  single  question.  I  had  about  ten  dollars  on 
hand,  which  would  be  a  sufficient  margin  for  contin 
gencies. 

The  whole  matter  was  as  luminous  now  as  youth 
and  enthusiasm  could  wish ;  and  I  went  to  my  cham 
ber  satisfied  that  I  had  solved  the  problem.  It 
fceemed  to  me  that  the  only  possible  obstacle  to  the 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    EOT.  65 

complete  success  of  my  scheme  would  be  the  inter 
ference  of  Mrs.  Loraine  and  her  friends.  In  the 
morning,  at  farthest,  the  search  for  the  escaped  pris 
oner  would  be  commenced.  But  I  could  do  nothing 
to  provide  against  emergencies  in  tb><3  direction.  I 
could  only  wait  till  I  saw  how  "the  land  lay"  in 
the  morning,  and  then  trust  to  my  owii  skill  and 
dash  to  overcome  the  difficulties  as  they  presented 
themselves.  In  my  prayers  I  remembered  poor  Kate, 
and  asked  the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  her.  I  felt 
sure  that  the  Good  Father  would  help  me  to  sav* 
her  from  the  cruel  persecution  to  which  she  was  sub 
jected.  Having  thus  commended  myself  and  Kate  to 
the  care  of  Him  who  watches  over  the  innocent,  I 
turned  over  and  went  to  sleep. 

My  slumber  was  soon  disturbed  by  a  violent 
pounding  at  the  front  door  of  the  cottage,  which 
was  just  beneath  my  window.  I  leaped  up  in  the 
bed  and  listened.  They  were  not  doubtful  sounds 
that  I  heard,  and  they  appeared  to  be  made  by  the 
heel  of  a  heavy  boot.  The  person  who  demanded 
admission  to  the  cottage  at  that  unseemly  hour  was 
evidently  in  earnest,  and  the  door  groaned  under  the 
5 


66  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 

vigorous  assaults  he  made  upon  it.  Of  course  I  could 
not  be  uncertain  in  regard  to  the  errand  of  the  mid 
night  visitor  —  for  such  the  striking  of  the  clock  in 
the  hall  below  now  assured  me  he  was.  "The  tug 
of  war"  was  at  hand,  and  I  was  to  be  called  upon 
at  once  to  "face  the  music." 

I  decided  not  to  be  forward  in  meeting  the  mes 
senger  from  Mrs.  Loraine,  whoever  he  was.  It  was 
possible,  if  not  probable,  that  she  had  sent  the  depu 
ty  sheriff  after  me;  and  this  terrible  official  might 
hurry  me  off  from  my  bed  to  a  cell  in  the  Cannon- 
dale  lockup,  heedless  of  the  fact  that  I  was  found 
in  another  county.  If  I  was  arrested,  what  would 
become  of  poor  Kate  ?  The  cold  sweat  stood  on  my 
brow  as  I  thought  of  her.  But  I  came  to  the  con* 
elusion  that  I  would  not  be  arrested  by  any  deputy 
sheriff,  or  any  one  else,  if  I  could  possibly  avoid  it; 
and  it  was  a  satisfaction  for  me  to  hear  the  wind 
piping  merrily  at  my  window,  for  that  would  givtf 
heels  to  the  Splash,  if  a  hurried  departure  becam« 
necessary. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP   A    SMART    BOY.  67 


CHAPTER   VI. 


THE  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  cottage  "was 
continued  almost  without  intermission.  The  vis 
itor  was  evidently  endowed  with  only  a  small  por 
tion  of  the  necessary  virtue  of  patience,  for  when  he 
ceased  pounding  for  an  instant,  it  was  only  to  curse 
and  swear  at  the  heaviness  of  the  sleepers  within.  I 
was  sure  that  old  Jerry  and  Betsey,  who  slept  in 
the  rear  of  the  bouse,  would  not  hear  the  summons, 
even  if  the  imperative  messenger  broke  the  door 
down ;  but  I  was  rather  surprised  that  my  uncle, 
who,  I  always  supposed,  slept  with  one  eye  open,  if 
he  ever  slept  at  all,  did  not  answer  the  call  more 
promptly. 

I  got  out  of  bed,  and  looked  out  at  the  window, 
1) oping  to  obtain  a  sight  of  the  visitor;  but  the  night 
was  too  dark  for  me  to  distinguish  his  form  or  fea- 


68  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

tures.  Again  he  swore,  and  again  he  hammered 
away  at  the  door.  What  they  do  in  New  Jersey 
when  it  rains  is  to  let  it  rain ;  and  what  I  did  when 
he  pounded  was  to  let  him  pound.  I  was  perfectly 
willing  he  should  pound ;  I  even  hoped  that  he  en 
joyed  it.  In  spite  of  the  anxiety  I  felt  for  poor 
Kate,  I  could  not  help  laughing  at  the  ludicrous 
earnestness  with  which  he  swore  and  pounded.  Like 
most  men,  my  uncle  was  cool  when  he  was  not  ex 
cited;  and  as  there  had  been  nothing  on  the  present 
occasion  to  excite  him,  I  suppose  he  was  cool.  Doubt 
less  he  stopped  to  dress  himself  before  he  answered 
the  summons.  Very  likely  the  dread  necessity  of 
speaking  to  the  visitor  appalled  him,  and  he  desired 
to  postpone  the  trying  ordeal  as  long  as  possible. 

I  am  obliged  to  acknowledge  my  belief  that  Mrs. 
Loraine's  messenger  was  exceedingly  unreasonable,  for 
he  did  not  intermit  his  hammering  long  enough  to 
ascertain  whether  any  one  was  coming  to  the  door 
or  not.  What  was  not  more  than  five  minutes  in 
fact,  might  have  seemed  to  be  half  an  hour  to  him. 
Within  as  short  a  time  as  could  have  been  properly 
expected,  I  heard  the  door  of  my  uncle's  library 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  69 

open,  and  uneasily  I  listened  for  the  result.  The 
bolt  on  the  front  door  creaked  and  grated.  The 
door  opened  with  difficulty,  and  while  my  uncle  was 
tugging  at  it,  I  lifted  the  sash  of  my  window  u 
couple  of  inches,  that  I  might  hear  what  passed. 

The  door  swung  back,  and  I  put  my  head  to  th& 
window  to  catch  the  first  words  that  were  spoken. 
Of  course  my  uncle  was  not  the  first  to  utter  them; 
he  seldom  spoke,  and  never  was  surprised  into  speak 
ing,  even  on  an  emergency. 

"  Well,  governor,"  said  the  messenger,  crustily, 
"you  sleep  like  a  rock.  Where  is  that  confounded 
boy  of  yours  ?  " 

"In  bed,*'  replied  my  uncle. 

"  Rout  him  out ;  I  want  him,"  continued  the  vis 
itor,  pushing  his  way  into  the  house. 

This  movement  prevented  me  from  hearing  what 
followed  immediately ;  but  I  hastened  to  my  door, 
hoping  to  catch  a  word  which  would  enable  me  to 
determine  who  the  person  was. 

"The  young  villain  has  run  away  with  Mrs.  Lo- 
raine's  step-daughter,"  I  heard  him  say,  as  I  opened 
the  door  wide  enough  to  permit  me  to  catch  the 


70  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

sound.  "I  tell  you,  governor,  you  must  get  rid  of 
the  young  vagabond,  or  he  will  swamp  the  whole 
of  us." 

"  Hush !     he  will  hear  you,"  said  uncle  Amos. 

"  No  matter.  I  have  pounded  away  hard  enough 
to  wake  the  dead.  If  that  didn't  rouse  him,  nothing 
will,"  added  the  messenger,  gruffly. 

«  Silence ! " 

"I  have  had  about  enough  of  this  thing,"  contin 
ued  the  rough  visitor.  "  You  insist  on  keeping  the 
whelp  here,  when  you  know  he  is  a  bombshell  in 
your  path  and  mine.  Why  don't  you  send  him  to 
sea,  and  let  him  get  drowned  ? " 

"  Be  still,  Thomas,"  replied  my  uncle,  in  a  whisper. 

"I  won't  be  still,  governor.  The  vagabond  has 
run  away  with  that  girl,  and  — " 

They  passed  into  the  dining-room,  and  I  could  not 
hear  the  rest  of  the  sentence.  The  visitor  was  Tom 
Thornton,  for  my  uncle  called  him  Thomas.  I  was 
a  vagabond,  and  a  bombshell  in  the  patli  of  both  of 
them.  Tom  called  my  uncle  "governor,"  and  this 
indicated  that  he  was  his  son.  I  half  suspected  this 
before,  but  it  was  news  to  me  to  learn  that  I  was 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A   SMART    BOY.  71 

regarded  as  a  dangerous  young  man.  Why  was  I 
dangerous?  I  had  not  done  anything  to  imperil  the 
life  or  the  fortunes  of  either  of  them. 

My  uncle  would  not  tell  me  anything  about  my 
father,  or  my  mother,  save  that  the  latter  was  insane 
and  the  inmate  of  an  asylum.  Now,  Tom  objected 
because  I  had  not  been  sent  to  sea  to  be  drowned ! 
They  were  talking  about  me  down  stairs,  and  I 
slipped  on  my  pants,  and  crept  down  the  stairs.  I 
found  that  they  had  entered  my  uncle's  library,  and 
the  spring  lock  on  the  door  had  fastened  it.  I  lis 
tened,  but  I  could  not  distinguish  what  was  said. 

I  was  determined  not  to  be  balked  in  my  purpose, 
for  this  was  an  opportunity  which  might  not  occur 
again  for  years  to  obtain  some  clew  to  my  own 
affairs.  In  fact,  I  had  resolutely  resolved  to  SEEK 
AND  FIND  my  mother,  who  was  still  living;  and  I 
wanted  information. 

The  library  of  my  uncle  was  contained  in  an  ad- 
Jition  to  the  house  which  had  been  erected  after  the 
completion  of  the  original  structure.  It  was  on  the 
end  of  the  house,  and  could  be  reached  only  through 
bis  chamber.  The  roof  was  flat,  and  covered  with 


72  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

tin  plates.  On  the  side  fronting  the  lake  there  was 
a  bay  window.  The  middle  sash  was  generally  open 
at  the  top  in  warm  weather,  as  I  had  no  doubt  it 
was  at  the  present  time. 

I  stole  softly  up  stairs  to  my  chamber,  from  which 
one  of  the  windows  opened  upon  the  flat  roof  over 
the  library.  I  raised  this  window,  and  crawled  like 
a  cat  over  to  the  bay  window,  the  top  of  which  was 
considerably  lower  than  the  roof.  Lying  down  on 
the  projection,  I  placed  my  head  near  the  top  of 
the  window.  I  was  rejoiced  to  find  that  I  could 
hear  the  voices  of  the  occupants  of  the  room  below 
me.  More  than  this,  a  lucky  thought,  as  I  regarded 
it,  occurred  to  me  as  I  lay  there.  The  window 
was  pulled  down  at  the  top,  and  I  found  that  I 
could  get  into  the  room  almost  as  easily  as  I  could 
stay  out.  I  deemed  this  an  important  discovery, 
for  I  fully  intended,  at  the  first  convenient  oppor 
tunity,  to  explore  the  library.  Though  the  thought 
came  to  me,  I  did  not  follow  out  its  leading  at  this 
time. 

"  How  can  I  get  rid  of  him  ? "  demanded  uncle 
Amos,  as  I  placed  my  head  near  the  open  sash;  and 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  73 

it  was  evident  that  the  parties  had  made  some  prog 
ress  in  the  discussion  while  I  was  securing  my  po 
sition. 

"  Send  him  off.  I  can  find  a  place  for  him  in  a 
store  in  New  Orleans,  where  the  yellow  fever  will 
make  an  end  of  him,"  replied  Tom. 

u  Thomas,  I  will  not  harm  him.  I  don't  want  to 
kill  him,"  added  uncle  Amos. 

"  Of  course  you  don't  want  to  kill  him  —  let  the 
fever  do  that.  Let  him  go  away,  and  lose  the  run 
of  you.  Something  must  be  done  at  once.  He  is  a 
smart  boy,  they  say,  and  if  he  should  happen  to  get 
an  idea,  he  would  blow  you  and  me  so  high  that 
we  never  should  corne  down." 

That  was  an  idea,  and  I  happened  to  get  it. 

"My  son,  I  have  stained  my  soul  with  crime  for 
your  sake,"  added  my  uncle,  bitterly.  "We  have 
wronged  this  boy  enough.  I  will  not  have  him  in 
jured." 

"  I  don't  wish  to  injure  him,  only  to  get  him  out 
of  the  way,  so  that  he  will  lose  the  run  of  you," 
replied  Tom,  petulantly.  "He  don't  know  anything 
about  me." 


74  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OR 

« Don't  flatter  yourself,  Tom  Thornton,"  I  thought, 
but  did  not  say. 

"I  am  willing  to  do  anything  proper  to  be  done 
with  him.  He  will  graduate  soon  at  the  Institute, 
and  we  must  find  a  place  for  him  in  some  business," 
said  uncle  Amos. 

"I  will  find  a  situation  for  him  in  New  Orleans." 

"Not  to  take  his  life." 

"  No,  no ;  certainly  not.  I  know  of  a  firm  there 
that  wants  a  young  man  from  the  north,  and  you 
must  send  him  off  in  the  course  of  a  week.  Now, 
what  has  the  villain  done  with  that  girl?" 

"  I  don't  know ;  he  has  not  brought  her  here,"  an 
swered  my  uncle. 

"What  has  he  done  with  her?  There  was  a 
young  fellow  with  him;  do  you  know  who  he  was?" 

"Probably  the  Hale  boy.     They  run  together." 

"What  could  they  have  done  with  the  girl?" 

"I  don't  know.  What  motive  had  they  for  carry 
ing  her  off?" 

"  Out  of  pity  I  suppose.  Kate  is  a  careless  girl, 
wilful,  and  disobedient.  She  objects  to  being  shut 
up  in  her  chamber  for  her  misdemeanors." 


THE   ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  75 

Tom  Thornton  related  the  incident  in  which  Bob 
and  I  had  been  concerned  on  the  pier. 

"The  child  must  have  been  badly  abused,  or  she 
tfould  not  have  jumped  into  the  lake,"  said  uncle 
Amos,  when  he  had  heard  the  story. 

"It  does  not  concern  you  or  me  whether  she  has 
been  or  not.  I  fancy  the  girl  is  not  of  much  use 
to  any  one." 

"  Why  do  you  run  after  her,  then  ?  " 

"What's  the  use  of  arguing  the  question.  Mrs. 
Loraine  wishes  me  to  find  the  girl,  and  return  her; 
and  I'm  going  to  do  it,  if  I  have  to  choke  your 
smart  boy  to  get  at  it.  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  In  his  chamber ;  but  you  must  not  harm  him," 
replied  uncle  Amos,  nervously.  "  He  is  as  high-spir 
ited  as  his  father  was." 

"What  do  I  care  for  that?  He  musf  tell  me 
where  the  girl  is." 

"  Perhaps  he  will  not  be  willing  to  tell  you." 

"  Then  I  shall  make  him  do  so,"  added  Tom,  sav 
agely;  and  it  seemed  to  me  he  was  getting  up  a 
very  pleasant  prospect  for  me. 

"You  must  handle  him  very  carefully,"  said  my 
uncle,  nervously. 


76  SEEK   AND   FIXD,   OB 

"  If  he  tells  me  where  the  girl  is,  that's  all  I  want 
of  him.  If  he  don't,  I  shall  —  I  shall  crush  it  out  of 
him.  He  will  find  I  am  not  made  of  milk  and 
water." 

"  You  will  find  I  am  not,  either,"  I  said  to  myself, 
as,  when  Tom  moved  towards  the  door,  I  rose  from 
my  recumbent  posture,  and  hastened  back  to  my 
chamber. 

I  slipped  off  my  pants,  and  got  into  bed  again, 
that  I  might  not  be  suspected  of  having  left  it.  I 
had  scarcely  done  so  before  Tom  entered  my  room 
with  a  lamp  in  his  hand.  I  opened  my  eyes,  rubbed 
them,  and  stared  at  him. 

"  I  want  to  see  you,  youngster,"  he  began.  "  I  sup 
pose  you  don't  know  me.  My  name  is  Jones." 

"  If  your  name  is  Jones,  my  name  is  Smith,"  I  re 
plied,  with  gross  imprudence. 

He  looked  at  me,  and  appeared  to  be  startled  by 
my  sharp  and  reckless  reply.  Veiy  likely  he  thought 
me  as  smart  as  my  reputation. 

"Your  name  is  Thornton,"  said  he. 

"  So  is  yours,"  I  answered ;  and  I  couldn't  help  it. 

He    stared    at    me    again.      Perhaps  he    concluded 


THE   ADVENTURES   OP   A   SMART   BOY.  77 

that  I  had  obtained  my  information  of  Kate  Loraine, 
and  he  knew  that  I  had  seen  him  at  her  step-moth 
er's  house. 

"What  have  you  done  with  that  girl?"  demand 
ed  he. 

"Hold  on  a  moment  till  I  dress  myself,"  I  replied, 
as  I  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  began  to  put  on  mx 
clothes. 


78  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 


CHAPTER  VH. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    HAS    AN   INTERVIEW    WITH    MR. 
TOM    THORNTON. 

FROM  my  perch  over  the  bay  window  of  the 
library,  I  had  heard  Tom  Thornton  express 
his  savage  determination  to  crush  out  of  me  the 
information  he  wanted.  Being  forewarned,  I  was 
in  a  measure  forearmed,  and  I  did  not  intend  to  be 
caught  in  a  vulnerable  position.  I  decided  to  do  a 
little  light  skirmishing  before  the  battle  opened. 
What  I  had  seen  and  heard  of  my  assailant  gave 
me  a  wonderful  self-possession,  for  which  I  could  not 
account  to  myself. 

I  hurried  on  my  clothing,  though  I  dressed  my 
self  with  the  expectation  of  taking  a  cruise  on  the 
\ake  before  my  head  rested  on  the  pillow  again. 
Though  I  felt  that  it  was  my  first  duty  to  pro 
tect  Kate  Loraine,  and  send  her  to  a  place  of 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  79 

safety,  I  fully  realized  that  I  had  a  battle  of  my 
own  to  fight.  By  their  own  confession,  Tom  and  his 
father  had  wronged  me  deeply.  If  my  mother  was 
still  living,  as  I  believed  she  was,  they  had  probably 
wronged  her  a  hundred  fold  more  than  me.  With 
these  thoughts  and  feelings,  an  impulse  of  desperation 
seemed  to  inspire  me.  I  was  ready  for  anything, 
but  I  was  astonished  and  amazed  at  my  own  calm 
ness. 

"Do  you  think  I'm  going  to  wait  all  night  for  an 
answer?"  demanded  Tom,  gruffly,  before  I  had  half 
finished  dressing  myself. 

"If  I  am  to  give  the  answer,  I  expect  you  will 
wait  till  I  get  ready,"  I  replied. 

"Do  you,  indeed?"  stormed  he. 

"I  do,  indeed." 

He  moved  towards  me,  and  I  retreated  to  a  corner 
of  the  room,  where  stood  a  heavy  base-ball  bat,  which 
had  been  presented  to  me  for  skilful  playing.  That 
corner  was  my  base  of  supplies. 

"  Do  you  know  where  that  girl  is  ? "  said  he,  paus 
ing  and  glancing  at  my  muscular  artillery  in  the 
corner. 


80  SEEK    AND    FIXD,    OB 

"Hold  on  a  minute,  till  I  am  dressed,  and  I  will 
answer  the  question." 

"Answer  it  now  —  this  instant." 

"Not  yet." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  you  young  villain  ?  Do  you 
intend  to  insult  me?" 

"  That  question  is  rather  refreshing,  Mr.  Tom  Thorn 
ton,  after  coming  to  my  room  in  the  middle  of  the 
night  as  you  did.  Do  you  mean  to  insult  me?" 

"  Insult  you,  you  young  villain ! "  sneered  he. 

"  Insult  me,  you  old  villain !  for  I'm  sure  you  have 
had  a  deal  of  experience  in  the  villain  line." 

"Will  you  answer  my  question,  or  not?  Do  you 
know  where  that  girl  is?"  he  continued,  when  he 
saw  it  was  as  easy  for  me  to  use  harsh  epithets  as 
for  him. 

"  When  I  have  dressed  myself  I  will  answer,  but 
not  till  then,"  I  replied,  adjusting  my  collar  with  more 
than  usual  care.  "Mr.  Tom  Thornton,  I  don't  wish 
to  quarrel  with  you  on  our  first  acquaintance.  Be 
sides  it  don't  look  well  for  near  relations  to  quarrel." 

u  What  do  you  mean  by  near  relations  ? "  he  asked, 
evincing  some  alarm. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    EOT.  81 

"  Tour  name  is  Thornton,  and  so  is  mine.  As  you 
come  to  the  house  of  my  uncle,  I  suppose  we  must 
be  relations.  But  I  assure  you  I  have  no  particular 
desire  to  claim  kindred  with  you." 

"  You  are  an  impudent  young  cub ;  and  if  you  are 
any  relation  to  me,  you  shall  have  some  of  the  starch 
taken  out  of  you  before  you  grow  half  an  inch  tall 
er,"  replied  Tom ;  and  in  the  war  of  words  I  felt  that 
I  had  the  weather-gage  of  him,  for  I  knew  things 
of  which  he  supposed  I  was  entirely  ignorant. 

"I  don't  think  my  impudence  exceeds  yours,  Mr. 
Tom  Thornton.  You  didn't  come  into  my  room  be 
having  like  a  gentleman,"  I  answered,  as  I  put  on 
my  sack  coat. 

"  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  having  a  boy  speak  to 
me  as  you  do." 

"  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  having  any  one  speak 
to  me  as  you  do,"  I  retorted.  «  But  I  don't  want  to 
quarrel  with  you,  as  I  said  before." 

"Well,  Mr.  Ernest  Thornton,  if  your  high  might 
iness  is  ready  to  condescend  to  answer  my  question, 
I  must  beg  the  favor  of  a  reply,"  sneered  he,  putting 
the  lamp  down  upon  the  table. 
6 


82  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

"Take  a  seat,  Mr.  Thornton.  Your  speech  is  im 
proving,"  I  added,  throwing  myself  into  a  chair  near 
my  base  of  supplies. 

I  think  my  visitor  was  entirely  satisfied  by  this 
time  that  he  could  make  nothing  by  bullying  me; 
and  it  seemed  to  me  that  in  reaching  this  point  I  had 
accomplished  a  great  deal.  Tom  Thornton  sat  down 
in  a  chair,  near  the  table  where  he  had  deposited  the 
lamp. 

"Thank  you,  Mr.  Ernest  Thornton.  I  am  seated, 
and  await  your  further  pleasure,"  he  continued,  with 
a  curling  lip. 

"You  intimated  that  you  came  on  business." 
"  I  certainly  hinted  as  much  as  that." 
"  And  your  business  relates  to  Miss  Kate  Loraine  ?  " 
"  It  does.     I  took  the  liberty  to  inquire  if  you  knew 
where   she  was   at  the   present  time.      A  direct  and 
unequivocal    answer    to    this    question    would    oblige 
your   humble    servant    very   much,"    said    Tom,   ner 
vously  ;  and  I  saw  that  it  was  with  the  greatest  diffi 
culty  he  could  confine  himself  to  this  satirical  style 
of  speech  —  for  he  wanted  to  break  out  in   menace 
and  violence,  to  crush  me  with  hard  words  and  sav- 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  83 

age  demonstrations,  which  prudent  cunning  restrained 
him  from  using.  "Do  you  know  where  the  girl  is?" 

"  I  do,"  I  replied,  promptly.  "  I  trust  my  reply  is 
sufficiently  direct  and  unequivocal." 

"It  is ;  and  you  will  oblige  me  by  informing  me, 
as  directly  and  unequivocally,  where  she  is,"  said  he, 
rising  from  his  chair. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  disoblige  you,  Mr.  Tom  Thornton ; 
but  I  must  respectfully  decline  to  give  you  any  in 
formation  on  that  point,"  I  answered,  firmly. 

"Am  I  to  understand  that  you  refuse  to  tell  me 
where  she  is  ?  "  demanded  he,  turning  up  the  cuff  of 
one  of  his  coat-sleeves. 

"That  was  the  idea  I  intended  to  convey,"  1  re. 
plied,  imitating  his  example  by  rolling  >\p  one  of  my 
coat-sleeves. 

"  You  won't  tell  me." 

"No,  sir." 

"  You  know  where  she  is  ?  " 

"  I  do." 

"And  won't  tell?" 

"I  will  not." 

He  turned  up  the  other  coat-si ee v*  t  ^nd  I  did  th» 
same. 


R4  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

**  Fll  tell  you  what  it  is,  youngster,  we  have  played 
this  farce  long  enough,"  Tom  proceeded,  in  a  rage. 
"  I  want  you  to  understand  that  I  am  not  to  be 
trifled  with.  You  may  make  a  fool  of  the  old  man, 
but  you  can't  make  a  fool  of  me." 

"Perhaps  nature  has  already  done  that  kindly  act 
for  you,"  I  put  in,  as  he  paused  to  take  a  long  breath 
with  which  to  whet  his  wrath. 

I  know,  now,  that  it  was  wrong  for  me  to  make 
these  saucy  and  irritating  replies ;  but  I  could  not 
well  help  it  then.  Tom  Thornton  was  a  villain,  by 
his  own  confession.  My  uncle  had  declared  that  he 
had  stained  his  soul  with  crime  for  his  son's  sake. 
Whichever  was  the  greater  villain,  it  was  clear  that 
the  son  was  the  more  obdurate,  graceless,  and  unre 
pentant  of  the  two.  I  had  no  patience  with  him.  I 
had  no  respect  for  him,  and  I  certainly  had  no  fear 
of  him.  Even  policy  would  not  permit  me  to  treat 
him  with  a  consideration  I  did  not  feel. 

"For  your  insults  we  will  settle  by  and  by;  at 
present  my  business  relates  to  this  girl,"  said  he, 
smarting  under  my  charge. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Tom  Thornton,  so  far  as  Miss  Loraine 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  83 

is  concerned,  your  business  with  me  is  finished,"  1 
replied. 

"  Not  yet ;  before  I  have  done  you  will  be  glad  to 
tell  me  where  the  girl  is." 

"  I  will  tell  you  nothing  in  regard  to  her." 

"  I  command  you  to  tell  me  where  she  is." 

"  You  may  command,  if  you  choose." 

"And  I  will  be  obeyed,"  said  he,  furiously. 

"You  will  see  whether  you  are  or  not." 

"  Who  are  you,  young  man,  that  have  the  impu 
dence  to  enter  the  house  of  a  lady,  and  entice  away 
her  daughter?"  foamed  he. 

"  I  am  Ernest  Thornton.  I  did  not  enter  the  house 
after  you  rode  off  with  the  lady ;  I  did  not  entice 
the  giiA  away,  and  she  is  not  the  lady's  daughter." 

"  Silence  !  Don't  you  contradict  me.  You  ran  away 
with  the  girl ! " 

I  whistled  a  popular  air,  simply  to  prove  that  \ 
was  not  intimidated,  and  that  Tom  was  not  getting 
along  very  rapidly. 

"  Once  more,  and  for  the  last  time,"  roared  Tom, 
foaming  with  passion,  "  will  you  tell  me  where  the 
girl  is,  or  will  you  take  the  consequences?" 


86  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

alf  it's  all  the  same  to  you,  I'll  take  the  conse 
quences,"  I  answered. 

"  Very  well ;  you  will  take  them,  or  you  will  tell 
me  the  whole  truth,"  said  he,  savagely,  as  he  rushed 
to  the  door. 

There  was  a  key  in  the  lock,  which  I  seldom  or 
never  used.  He  took  it  out,  left  the  room,  and 
locked  the  door  behind  him.  He  was  evidently  so 
much  in  earnest  that  he  did  not  intend  I  should 
escape  the  fiery  furnace  he  was  preparing  for  me. 
I  could  not  but  laugh  at  his  folly  in  thinking  to  con 
fine  a  live  boy  of  sixteen  in  the  chamber  of  a  cot 
tage.  I  concluded  that  he  had  gone  for  a  stick,  a 
club,  or  some  other  weapon,  with  which  to  reduce  me 
to  subjection. 

Though  I  felt  able  with  the  base-ball  bat  to  de 
fend  myself  from  the  assaults  of  Tom,  I  did  not  court 
the  conflict.  There  was  room  for  an  accident  which 
might  deprive  me  of  the  power  to  serve  Kate  in  the 
hour  of  her  extremity;  and  I  was  disposed  to  keep 
her  on  the  safe  side,  if  I  did  not  keep  there  myself 
I  heard  the  heavy  footsteps  of  Tom  Thornton,  as  he 
descended  the  stairs,  and  walked  through  the  hall 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    EOT.  87 

I  concluded  that  he  would  see  my  uncle  before  he 
returned.  I  slipped  off  my  shoes,  and  put  one  in 
each  side  pocket  of  my  sack.  Fearing  that  my  bat 
might  be  removed  during  my  absence,  I  thrust  it 
up  the  chimney,  at  the  fireplace,  resting  one  end 
on  a  jamb,  where  I  could  easily  reach  it. 

Carefully  opening  the  window,  I  stepped  down  upon 
the  roof  of  the  library,  and  thence  to  the  top  of  the 
bay  window,  to  the  position  I  had  before  occupied. 
My  uncle  was  in  the  library,  but  Tom  was  not  with 
him,  and  I  concluded  that  he  had  gone  out  of  the 
cottage  for  the  weapon  he  wanted.  I  felt  safe 
enough,  however;  for,  by  lying  down  on  the  top 
of  the  bay  window,  close  to  the  wall  of  the  build 
ing,  I  could  not  be  seen  by  any  one  who  did  not 
come  close  to  the  place  where  I  was  concealed. 

I  bent  over  and  looked  into  the  library  window  a 
second  time.  By  the  side  of  the  grate,  at  the  end 
of  the  room,  a  small  iron  safe  had  been  built  Into 
the  brick-work  of  the  chimney,  in  which  my  uncle 
kept  his  papers  and  other  valuables.  In  the  occa 
sional  visits  I  had  made  to  the  library,  after  I  was 
conscious  of  the  mystery  which  shrouded  my  affairs, 


88  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

I  had  gazed  wistfully  at  the  iron  door  of  this  safe, 
and  longed  to  possess  the  secrets  which  it  contained. 
I  believed  that  there  were  papers  in  that  strong  box 
which  could  tell  me  where  my  mother  was,  or  give 
me  some  clew  to  her  place  of  imprisonment.  Per 
haps  the  whole  history  of  my  father's  family  was  con 
tained  within  its  iron  sides.  Perhaps  the  story  of  my 
wrongs  could  be  traced  from  the  documents  there. 
If  not,  why  was  I  so  carefully  excluded  from  the 
library  ? 

I  felt  a  deep  and  thrilling  interest  when  I  glanced 
into  the  room,  and  saw  uncle  Amos  seated  before  the 
open  door  of  this  safe. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  89 


CHAPTER  VIH. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST    VISITS    HIS    UNCLE'S   LIBRARY. 

WHILE  Tom  Thornton  was  looking  for  a  bat> 
tery  with  which  to  reduce  my  fortress,  my 
uncle  appeared  to  be  searching  for  some  paper  in 
his  safe.  I  concluded  that  Tom's  unexpected  arrival 
had  suggested  some  business  to  be  done  with  him. 
I  was  in  a  fever  of  anxiety  to  hear  what  passed 
between  them. 

Uncle  Amos  handled  the  papers,  folding  and  un 
folding  them,  giving  each  a  hasty  glance,  and  then 
restoring  it  to  the  safe.  One  document  in  particular 
attracted  my  attention,  on  which  my  uncle  gazed 
much  longer  than  on  any  other,  and  then  laid  it 
down,  apart  from  the  others,  on  the  bottom  of  thg 
safe.  While  I  was  watching  his  motions  with  breath 
less  interest,  I  heard  the  front  door  slammed  vio. 
lently.  My  uncle  was  startled.  He  hastily  closed 


90  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

the  door  of  the  safe,  locked  it,  and  put  the  key  under 
the  cushion  of  his  arm-chair.  Taking  the  lamp  in  his 
hand,  he  hastened  out  of  the  room. 

"  Thomas ! "  I  heard  him  call,  after  he  had  passed 
into  his  chamber. 

In  a  moment  he  returned  to  the  library,  followed 
by  Tom,  who  had  in  his  hand  a  heavy  stick  taken 
from  the  wood-pile. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  ? "  demanded  my 
ancle,  as  he  glanced  at  the  club  in  Tom's  hand. 

"I  am  going  to  make  that  boy  tell  me  where  the 
girl  is,"  replied  Tom. 

"With  that  stick?" 

•'Yes,  with  this  stick." 

"You  will  never  find  the  girl  in  that  way,"  said 
my  uncU,  shaking  his  head.  "  Throw  your  stick 
away." 

"But  the  rascal  insulted  me  with  almost  every 
word  he  spoke,"  growled  Tom. 

"  I  told  you  to  handle  him  gently.  You  can't 
drive  him." 

"But  he  must  tell  me  where  the  girl  is." 

"  He  will  not,  of  course.     If  he  thinks  the  girl  has 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  01 

been  abused,  he  is  just  foolish  enough  to  take  her 
part,  and  would  be  pounded  to  a  jelly  before  he 
would  tell  you  a  word  about  her.  If  you  arc  careful 
you  can  find  out  where  the  girl  is.  Probably  he 
carried  her  off  in  the  boat.  You  say  it  must  have 
been  nearly  dark  when  he  left  Cannondale.  He  could 
not  have  gone  far  with  her.  Either  she  is  at  Mr. 
Hale's  in  Parkville,  or  she  is  concealed  somewhere 
in  this  vicinity." 

Uncle  Amos  appeared  to  gasp  with  the  mighty 
effort  this  long  speech  had  cost  him. 

"The  young  rascal  shall  tell  me  where  she  is,  or 
I  will  break  his  head.  I  will  teach  him  that  he  can't 
trifle  with  me,  if  he  can  with  you,"  replied  Tom, 
in  snappish  tones. 

"You  will  defeat  your  own  purposes.  Where  is 
Ernest  now?" 

"  In  his  room ;  and  I  locked  him  in,"  answered 
Tom,  with  a  kind  of  chuckle,  indicating  that  he 
thought  he  had  done  a  big  thing. 

"  Locked  him  in !  "  exclaimed  my  uncle.  "  How 
long  do  you  suppose  he  will  stay  there?" 

"Till   I  choose   to   let  him   out,"    said   Tom,  who 


92  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

still  appeared  to  be  very  well  satisfied  with  him« 
self. 

"  I  think  not.  There  are  two  windows  in  the 
room,  and  when  he  gets  ready  to  leave  he  will  dq 
so.  You  seem  to  think  the  boy  is  a  fool.  Very 
likely  he  has  taken  the  alarm  by  this  time,  and  has 
gone  off  to  look  out  for  the  girl,  if  he  has  hidden 
her  in  this  vicinity." 

"Do  you  suppose  he  has  gone?"  asked  Torn;  and 
his  tones  indicated  his  perplexity. 

"  I  don't  know ;  but  you  can't  do  anything  till 
daylight,  and  I  want  to  talk  with  you  about  our 
affairs." 

"  Confound  your  affairs ! "  ejaculated  Tom,  petu 
lantly.  "I  can't  stop  to-night  to  talk  about  them.  I 
came  after  the  girl,  and  I  must  have  her  too." 

"  Thomas,  I  can  no  longer  endure  this  wasting 
anxiety,"  continued  my  uncle,  solemnly.  "  This  boy 
haunts  me  by  day  and  by  night.  I  seldom  sleep  an 
hour  at  a  time.  For  your  sake  I  am  suffering  all 
this;  but  you  are  cold,  distant,  and  harsh  to  me." 

"What  do  you  wish  me  to  do,  governor?"  de 
manded  the  reckless  son.  "I  send  you  all  the 
money  you  want." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   EOT.  99 

"It  is  not  money,  but  a  clear  conscience,  that  1 
need,"  groaned  the  wretched  old  man.  "  I  would 
rather  live  in  abject  poverty  than  purchase  plenty 
at  such  a  fearful  price." 

"Don't  be  foolish,  governor." 

"  I  live  in  constant  fear  of  the  boy,  especially  since 
he  questioned  me,  months  ago,  about  his  parents  and 
his  property." 

"  Of  course  you  told  him  he  had  no  property." 

"I  did." 

"Then  it's  all  right.  In  the  course  of  a  week  we 
will  send  him  to  New  Orleans.  When  he  has  gone 
you  can  change  your  residence,  and  he  will  lose  the 
track  of  you." 

"Perhaps  he  will  not  be  willing  to  go  to  New 
Orleans;  he  certainly  will  not  under  such  treatment 
as  you  bestow  upon  him.  Thomas,  my  brother's 
will  —  " 

My  uncle  paused  and  looked  at  his  son,  as  though 
in  doubt  whether  to  finish  the  sentence  he  had 
begun. 

"Well,  what  of  the  will?"  demanded  Tom,  evin 
cing  more  interest  than  he  had  before  exhibited. 
"  Of  course  you  destroyed  that  years  ago  ? " 


94  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

"No,  Thomas,  I  dared  not  do  such  a  thing,"  re 
plied  my  uncle,  in  a  hoarse  whisper. 

"  You  did  not !  "  exclaimed  Tom.  "  Where  is  it  ? 
Let  me  have  it ! " 

"No,  Thomas,  I  dare  not  even  yet  destroy  it," 
groaned  the  old  man. 

"  This  is  madness ! " 

"Perhaps  it  is.  I  wished  to  talk  with  you  about 
it.  It  is  no  longer  safe  for  me  to  keep  it  in  the 
house." 

"Why  don't  you  burn  it,  then?" 

"I  dare  not." 

By  this  time  I  was  so  dizzy  holding  my  head 
down,  that  I  was  obliged  to  raise  it.  I  was  so 
giddy  and  confused  that  I  came  veiy  near  rolling 
off  the  top  of  the  bay  window ;  and  in  my  efforts  to 
save  myself,  I  made  a  noise,  which  disturbed  the 
conference.  Tom  and  my  uncle  were  alarmed.  I 
heard  them  rush  out  of  the  room.  Without  waiting 
to  ascertain  their  intentions,  I  put  on  my  shoes,  and 
climbed  down  from  the  bay  window  to  the  ground. 

I  had  hardly  accomplished  my  descent  before  Tom 
and  my  uncle  appeared  at  the  window  of  my  cham- 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  95 

6er.  They  had  rightly  attributed  the  noise  to  me, 
and  hastened  to  my  room  to  learn  what  had  haj> 
pened. 

"He  has  escaped,"  said  Tom,  as  he  drew  in  his 
head,  after  satisfying  himself  that  I  was  not  on  the 
roof. 

I  went  round  to  the  front  of  the  house  to  ascer 
tain  what  they  would  do  next.  There  was  a  horse 
and  chaise  in  the  road,  with  which  Tom  had  come, 
the  animal  fastened  to  a  post.  He  neighed  as  I 
approached  him.  I  found  that  he  was  shivering  in 
the  cool  night  air,  after  the  severe  sweat  he  had  had 
in  coming.  I  took  a  robe  from  the  chaise  and  cov 
ered  him,  for  I  liked  a  horse  almost  as  well  as  a 
boat.  When  I  had  finished  this  kindly  act,  Tom 
came  out  of  the  house  with  a  lantern  in  his  hand. 
He  was  followed  by  my  uncle, -and  they  went  down 
to  the  landing,  where  my  skiff  lay. 

"  He  hasn't  gone  off  in  the  boat,"  said  my  uncle. 

"  And  he  shall  not,"  added  Tom,  as  he  walked  off 
and  disappeared  behind  the  house. 

I  was  alarmed  lest  he  should  go  off  to  the  Splash 
and  find  Kate  there;  but  presently  he  returned  with 


96  SEEK   AXD   FrXD,    OR 

an  axe  in  his  hand.  Giving  the  lantern  to  his  father, 
he  proceeded  to  smash  the  skiff  with  the  axe,  his 
object  being  to  prevent  my  going  on  board  the 
Splash.  I  regarded  it  as  a  puny  effort 'on  his  part, 
and  was  relieved  to  find  they  did  not  intend  to  visit 
her  themselves.  As  soon  as  I  was  satisfied  in  regard 
to  his  purpose,  I  crept  carefully  up  to  the  horse,  un 
fastened  him,  and  jumped  into  the  chaise.  The  ani 
mal  was  full  of  spirit,  and  anxious  to  go. 

"Have  you  found  the  girl?"  I  shouted  to  Tom, 
as  I  drove  within  a  few  feet  of  where  he  stood. 

He  sprang  for  the  horse's  head  as  soon  as  he  dis 
covered  my  intention;  but  I  gave  him  the  rein,  and 
he  went  off  like  a  rocket.  I  tumed  towards  Park- 
ville,  and  after  going  half  a  mile,  I  reined  up  to  as 
certain  whether  I  was  pursued  or  not.  I  could  hear 
nothing;  so  I  turned  into  a  by-road,  leading  to  a 
grove.  I  had  taken  this  step  only  to  procure  a  di 
version  of  Tom's  plans,  if  he  had  any,  and  I  fastened 
the  horse  to  a  tree.  Covering  him  up  with  the  robe 
again,  I  walked  back  to  the  highway.  In  less  thnn 
ten  minutes,  I  heard  the  well-known  rattle  of  my 
Uncle's  buggy.  I  stepped  behind  a  bush  till  it  should 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  97 

pass.  As  it  went  by,  I  heard  my  uncle's  voice,  as 
well  as  Tom's.  My  diversion  had  worked  well,  foi 
both  had  gone  in  pursuit  of  me,  and  I  was  delighted 
with  the  result. 

As  fast  as  my  legs  would  carry  me,  I  hastened 
back  to  the  cottage.  A  light  was  burning  in  the 
library.  I  was  almost  choking  with  anxiety,  for  I 
had  a  purpose  to  accomplish.  I  climbed  up  to  the 
bay  window,  pulled  the  sash  down,  and  leaped  into 
my  uncle's  "sanctum  sanctorum."  With  trembling 
hand  I  raised  the  cushion  of  the  arm-chair.  I  could 
hardly  repress  a  shout  of  joy,  as  I  saw  the  key,  just 
where  my  uncle  had  put  it.  Eagerly  I  seized  it  and 
opened  the  safe  door.  I  grasped  the  huge  document 
that  lay  on  the  bottom  of  the  safe,  and  opened  it. 
I  read, — 

" '  In  the  name  of  God,  amen !  I,  Ezra  Thornton, 
being  feeble  in  body,  but  of  sound  and  disposing 
mind  — ' 

"  It  is  my  father's  will ! "  I  exclaimed,  without 
pausing  to  read  any  more. 

My  heart  was  in  my  mouth.  I  glanced  at  other 
papers ;  but  I  did  not  understand  them,  and  it 
7 


98  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OK 

seemed  to  me  then  that  the  will  was  all  I  wanted, 
I  thrust  that  into  my  pocket,  and  was  about  to  close 
the  safe  door  when  my  eye  rested  upon  a  thick  pile 
of  bank  bills.  I  wanted  money.  Would  it  be  steal 
ing  to  take  some  of  these  bills  ?  No !  All  that  my 
uncle  had  was  mine,  according  to  his  own  state 
ment.  There  were  thousands  of  dollars  in  the  pile. 
I  could  not  think  or  reason  in  the  excitement  of 
the  moment.  I  took  about  one  fourth  of  the  bills, 
thrust  them  into  my  pocket,  closed  the  door  of  the 
safe,  locked  it,  and  put  the  key  under  the  cushion 
in  the  chair. 

I  got  out  of  the  window,  and  placed  the  sash  as 
I  had  found  it.  When  I  reached  the  ground,  the 
cold  sweat  stood  on  my  brow,  so  violent  were  my 
emotions.  I  entered  the  front  door  of  the  cottage, 
passing  old  Jerry  on  the  way,  and  went  to  my 
chamber,  the  key  being  on  the  outside,  where  Tom 
had  left  it.  I  prayed  that  God  would  forgive  me 
if  I  had  done  wrong,  for  I  could  not  determine 
whether  I  had  or  not. 

As  the  will  and  the  money  would  not  be  safe  in 
my  pocket,  I  wrapped  them  up  in  a  piece  of  news- 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  99 

paper,  and  concealed  them  in  the  closet.  By  this 
time  it  was  daylight.  I  sat  for  half  an  hour  in  a 
chair,  thinking  what  I  should  do.  At  sunrise  Tom 
and  his  father  returned.  I  suppose  old  Jerry  told 
them  he  had  seen  me,  for  both  came  up  stairs  im 
mediately. 

"  Now,  you  young  villain ! "  yelled  Tom,  as  he 
rushed  towards  me,  beside  himself  with  passion. 

I  retreated  towards  the  chimney,  and  pulled  out 
ray  bat. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  with  that?"  de 
manded  he. 

"  I  am  going  to  defend  myself,"  I  replied,  as  firm 
ly  as  I  could;  but  I  was  terribly  agitated. 

"We'll  see  if  you  are;"  and  he  sprang  towards 
me. 

"Gently,  Thomas;  don't  be  rash,"  interposed  my 
uncle. 

"  Keep  your  distance,  or  I'll  smash  your  head ! "  I 
added,  making  a  few  vigorous  passes  with  the  bat. 

He  was  prudent  enough  to  heed  this  warning,  and 
left  the  room,  but  only  to  return  with  the  club  he 
had  selected  before. 


100  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 


CHAPTER  IX. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST,   AFTER    A     SUCCESSFUL    RETREAT, 
FALLS   INTO   A   TRAP. 

TOM  THORNTON  was  the  maddest  man  I  ever 
saw  when  he  returned  to  my  chamber  armed 
with  the  club.  His  father  had  followed  him  down 
stairs,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  pacifying  him  ;  and 
when  they  returned  he  was  still  trying  to  dissuade 
him  from  any  act  of  violence. 

"Don't  be  rash,  Thomas,"  pleaded  my  uncle,  as 
they  were  coming  up  the  stairs. 

"Don't  talk  to  me,  governor.  I  will  bring  the 
young  cub  to  his  senses ! "  roared  Tom,  violently. 

"  Control  your  temper,  and  listen  to  reason.  You 
vill  ruin  yourself  and  me  by  your  rashness." 

"  I'll  take  care  of  that,"  replied  Tom,  as  he  rushed 
into  the  room. 

Uncle  Amos  caught  him  by  the  shoulder  when  he 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  101 

reached  the  door  and  attempted  to  detain  him ;  but 
Tom  was  in  such  a  fury  that  nothing  could  check 
him.  He  shook  off  his  father,  and  advanced  towards 
me,  apparently  with  the  intention  of  making  an  end 
of  me.  I  raised  the  heavy  bat,  and  looked  him  stead 
fastly  in  the  eye.  I  was  the  cooler  of  the  two,  and 
the  experience  I  had  had  in  a  hand-to-hand  fight 
with  Mr.  Parasyte  gave  me  both  courage  and  skill 
for  such  a  conflict. 

He  came  upon  me  with  reckless  vehemence,  aim 
ing  a  blow  at  my  head ;  but  I  struck  at  and  hit  hia 
club  with  such  force  that  it  was  knocked  out  of  his 
hands,  and  flew  over  into  one  corner  of  the  room. 
Quick  to  take  advantage  of  this  favorable  circumstance, 
I  ran  to  the  spot,  and  put  my  foot  on  the  stick,  in 
order  to  hold  the  weapon  I  had  captured. 

Tom  rushed  forward  to  recover  his  club  at  any 
hazard,  but  I  laid  about  me,  right  and  left,  with  all 
my  might,  so  that  the  bat  whizzed  through  the  air. 
To  have  come  within  the  circle  of  the  flying  bat 
would  have  insured  him  a  broken  head,  and  he 
paused  a  moment.  My  uncle  stepped  forward,  and 
taking  him  by  the  shoulder,  drew  him  back  from 
such  dangerous  proximity  to  my  vyeapou. 


102  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 

One  of  you  will  certainly  be  killed ! "  gasped  my 
ancle.  "  Stop,  Ernest ! " 

"I  am  ready  to  stop  when  he  is,"  I  replied,  pant 
ing  with  my  exertions. 

"  What  have  you  done  with  my  horse,  you  vil 
lain?"  roared  Tom. 

"I'll  tell  you  when  you  have  cooled  off,"  I  an 
swered.  "  I  want  you  to  understand  now  that  I  am 
not  to  be  trifled  with." 

"  I'll  bring  you  to  your  senses,  yet,"  said  Tom,  with 
an  awful  scowl,  as  he  turned  and  rushed  out  of  the 
room  again,  followed  by  my  uncle. 

It  was  plain  that  he  had  gone  after  another 
weapon,  and  perhaps  this  time  he  would  bring 
something  more  dangerous  than  a  stick  from  the 
wood-pile.  Fighting  was  not  at  all  to  my  taste, 
and  I  was  not  quite  willing  to  risk  my  prowess 
against  such  an  insane  assailant.  I  realized  that  he 
Would  just  as  lief  kill  me  as  not,  and  I  might  not 
again  be  as  fortunate  as  I  had  been  during  the  first 
onslaught.  Discretion  was  certainly  the  better  part 
of  valor  in  such  an  encounter,  for  there  were  no 
laurels  to  be  won  in  the  battle ;  and  I  determined 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  103 

to  make  my  escape  before  the  return  of  my  savage 
foe.  I  did  not  mean  to  come  back,  for  my  mission 
was  in  the  great  world  until  I  had  developed  the 
mystery  of  my  own  wrongs. 

I  approached  the  closet,  after  I  had  opened  the 
window,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  will  and 
the  money  I  had  concealed  there.  I  was  on  the 
point  of  opening  the  closet,  when  I  heard  a  step  on 
the  stairs,  and  then  my  uncle  appeared  at  the  door. 

"Ernest,  if  you  have  any  regard  for  me,  or  any 
gratitude  for  what  I  have  done  for  you,  don't  incense 
him  any  more,"  said  he,  in  pleading  tones. 

«  What  shall  I  do  ?  —  let  him  kill  me  ?  "  I  replied. 

"What  have  you  done  with  the  horse  and 
chaise  ?  " 

"  They  are  in  Welch's  Lane." 

"Don't  resist  Thomas  any  more." 

"  I  shall  resist  him  to  the  death,  if  he  don't  let  me 
alone,"  I  answered,  firmly.  "I  didn't  begin  it." 

"Yes,  you  did,  Ernest.  You  earned  the  girl  offj 
and  he  is  acting  for  her  mother." 

"The  girl  has  been  abused.  If  she  hadn't  been, 
she  wouldn't  have  jumped  overboard." 


104  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 

"  There  !  Thomas  is  coming ! "  exclaimed  he,  greatly 
alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  a  renewal  of  hostilities. 
"Tell  him  where  the  girl  is,  for  my  sake,  if  not  fot 
your  own." 

"  I  will  not,"  I  replied,  as  I  heard  Tom's  step  on 
the  stairs. 

The  window  was  open,  and  while  there  was  yet 
time,  I  leaped  out  upon  the  roof  of  the  library,  with 
the  bat  still  in  my  hand.  Throwing  the  weapon 
down,  I  stepped  on  the  bay  window,  and  from  that 
dropped  to  the  ground.  Picking  up  the  bat,  I  re 
treated  to  the  grove  which  bordered  the  lake  beyond 
the  house.  I  had  left  the  valuables  in  the  closet,  and 
was  therefore  not  prepared  to  take  my  final  de 
parture. 

I  had  advanced  but  a  few  steps  before  Tom  and 
his  father  appeared  at  the  window.  My  furious  foe 
staid  there  only  long  enough  to  obtain  a  sight  of 
me.  A  moment  afterwards  he  rushed  out  at  the  front 
door,  and  started  in  pursuit  of  me.  I  doubted  just 
then  whether  I  had  gained  any  advantage  by  trans 
ferring  the  battle-ground  to  the  open  air,  for  Tom's 
legs  were  longer  than  mine,  though  probably  he  had 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  105 

not  practised  running  so  much  as  I  had.  Taking 
the  path  near  the  bank  of  the  lake,  I  ran  with  all 
my  speed,  till  I  came  to  the  brook  which  flowed 
round  the  hill  in  the  rear  of  the  cottage  and  dis 
charged  itself  into  the  lake.  For  some  distance  above 
the  outlet  the  stream  was  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet 
wide.  There  was  a  rude  foot-bridge,  consisting  of  a 
single  wide  plank,  across  it,  for  my  uncle's  domain 
extended  a  short  distance  beyond  it. 

I  crossed  this  bridge.  Tom  was  only  a  few  rods 
behind  me,  and  a  brilliant  strategic  idea  flashed  into 
my  mind  as  I  stepped  upon  the  plank.  As  it  is 
considered  good  policy  for  a  retreating  army  to  de 
stroy  the  bridges  behind  it,  I  adopted  the  sugges 
tion,  and  as  soon  as  I  had  reached  the  other  side  of 
the  brook,  I  lifted  the  end  of  the  plank,  and  pulled 
it  over  after  me.  Tom  rushed  up  to  the  other  side 
just  as  I  had  completed  the  job.  The  stream  was  a 
good  ten  feet  wide,  and  its  banks  were  rather  soft 
and  slippery. 

From  the  movements  he  made,  I  thought,  at  first, 
that  he  intended  to  leap  over  the  brook ;  and  I 
placed  myself  in  such  a  position  as  to  insure  his  fall- 


106  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

ing  into  the  water,  if  he  attempted  such  a  piece  ol 
gymnastics.  Tom  wore  nice  clothes,  and  he  did  not 
run  the  risk  of  soiling  them  by  a  possible  accident. 
He  paused  on  the  brink  of  the  stream,  and  feared  to 
cross  the  Rubicon. 

"  How  are  you,  Tom  Thornton  ?  "  I  exclaimed,  after 
he  had  looked  about  him  for  the  means  of  bettering 
his  situation,  and  of  continuing  the  chase. 

The  exertions  he  had  made  to  catch  me  had  evi 
dently  cooled  him  off  in  some  measure.  He  was  out 
of  breath,  and  was  apparently  becoming  "  demoralized." 
He  looked  at  me,  and  scowled  most  un  amiably. 

"Follow  the  brook  up  to  the  road,  and  you  can 
get  across  there,"  I  added,  as  he  again  looked  about 
him  for  the  means  of  overcoming  his  difficulty. 

"None  of^your  impudence,  you  puppy!"  replied 
he ;  but  his  invective  was  tame  compared  with  what 
it  had  been. 

"  If  I  am  a  puppy,  Tom  Thornton,  perhaps  you 
would  like  my  bark  to  cross  the  brook  with,"  I  an 
swered. 

"The  time  to  settle  up  all  this  business  will  soon 
come,"  said  he,  shaking  his  head. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMART    EOT.  107 

"Mr.  Tom  Thornton,  if  you  think  you  can  scare 
me  with  any  bugbears,  you  are  mistaken.  I  know 
you  better  than  you  think  I  do." 

"  What  do  you  know  ? "  demanded  he,  surprised 
out  of  his  malignity  by  my  remark. 

"  What  I  know  I  keep  to  myself.  When  you  go 
back  to  Mrs.  Loraine,  I  wish  you  would  tell  her 
from  me  that  it  won't  sound  well  when  it  is  told 
she  kept  that  poor  girl  shut  up  in  her  room  for 
a  week  or  ten  days,  with  the  blinds  nailed  so  that 
she  could  not  open  them,  just  because  she  took 
long  stitches,  or  trod  on  a  flower.  If  I  were  in 
your  place  I  shouldn't  like  to  marry  a  woman  like 
that." 

Tom  looked  uneasy,  and  played  with  his  watch 
chain.  I  thought  he  wanted  to  say  something  con 
ciliatory  ;  that  he  desired  to  extend  to  me  the  olive 
branch  of  peace,  the  better  to  get  me  into  his  power. 
I  was  quite  willing  to  listen  to  any  overtures  of  this 
kind,  for  I  wanted  to  return  to  the  cottage,  obtain 
the  will  and  the  money,  and  then  bid  a  final  adieu 
to  Parkville  until  I  had  solved  the  problem  of  my 
existence.  I  was  fearfully  anxious  lest  my  uncle 


108  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

should  discover  the  loss  of  the  valuable  document 
I  had  taken,  and  it  should  be  found  where  I  had 
concealed  it. 

"  Ernest,  you  are  getting  yourself  into  trouble,"  said 
Tom,  after  a  while,  in.  milder  tones  than  he  had  yet 
used. 

"For  which,  no  doubt,  you  are  very  sorry,"  I 
added. 

"I'm  sure  I  don't  want  to  quarrel  with  you." 

"  You  have  been  very  mild  and  gentle  to  me." 

"Well,  I  was  mad,  Ernest,"  said  he,  with  some 
thing  like  a  smile.  "  If  you  will  tell  me  where  my 
horse  is,  we  will  call  it  all  square." 

"  I  told  uncle  Amos  where  he  is.  I  left  him  down 
in  Welch's  Lane." 

"Where  is  that?" 

"  Your  father  knows  where  it  is.  His  horse  is  har 
nessed,  and  he  will  drive  you  down  there,"  I  replied, 
hoping  they  would  adopt  my  plan,  and  thus  enable 
me  to  enter  my  chamber  and  reclaim  the  valuables 
I  had  left  there. 

"Very  well;  I  will  do  so.  I  will  help  you  put 
the  plank  across  the  brook  before  I  go,"  he  replied. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  109 

"No,  I  thank  you.  I  can  put  it  across  myself 
when  I  get  ready  to  do  so,"  I  answered,  cautiously. 

"What  are  you  afraid  of?" 

"  I'm  not  afraid  of  anything ;  but  I'm  not  going  to 
put  my  head  in  the  wildcat's  mouth." 

"  I  won't  touch  you." 

"  I  don't  intend  you  shall.  Go  and  get  your  horse, 
and  I  will  take  care  of  myself." 

"Well,  I  will." 

He  turned,  and  walked  up  the  path  towards  the 
cottage.  Of  course  I  had  no  faith  in  his  word,  and  I 
determined  to  keep  at  a  respectful  distance  from  him. 
When  he  had  disappeared  in  the  grove  beyond  the 
brook,  I  raised  the  plank  on  one  end,  and  then 
dropped  it  across  the  stream,  restoring  the  bridge 
to  its  original  position.  I  crossed  the  brook,  and 
walked  towards  the  house.  When  I  came  in  sight 
of  it,  the  buggy  was  leaving  the  yard.  I  concluded 
Tom  and  his  father  had  really  adopted  my  sugges 
tion,  and  were  going  to  Welch's  Lane  for  the  horse 
and  chaise.  But  I  was  too  wary  to  advance  without 
reconnoitring  the  ground. 


110  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"  Your  breakfast  is  all  ready,  Ernest,"  said  old  Bet 
sey,  the  housekeeper,  as  I  approached  the  back  door. 

"Where  are  my  uncle  and  the  gentleman?"  I 
asked. 

"They  told  me  they  were  going  down  to  Parkville, 
and  I  need  not  wait  breakfast  for  them." 

I  went  into  the  dining-room  and  sat  down  at  the 
table,  as  much  for  the  purpose  of  getting  something 
for  Kate  as  to  eat  myself.  I  was  scarcely  seated, 
when  I  was  thrown  over  backwards,  chair  and  all, 
and  found  myself  lying  on  the  floor,  held  down  by 
Tom  Thornton. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART   EOT.  Ill 


CHAPTER  X. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    STRIKES    A    HEAVY   BLOW   FOB 
LIBERTY. 

DEAR  me  !  Good  gracious  !  Why !  "  screamed 
Betsey,  when  Tom  Thornton  threw  me  upon 
the  floor.  "  I  thought  you'd  gone  off  with  Mr. 
Thornton.  What  in  the  world  are  you  going  to  do? 
Let  the  poor  boy  alone ! " 

Betsey  did  not  think  I  was  having  fair  play,  and 
old  and  stiff  as  she  was,  she  rushed  up  to  Tom, 
apparently  with  the  intention  of  interfering. 

"  Out  of  the  way,  old  woman  ! "  growled  Tom. 
"Go  and  get  me  a  rope." 

"  A  rope !  I  won't  get  you  any  rope !  And  if 
you  don't  let  the  poor  boy  alone,  I'll  go  out  and 
call  the  neighbors,"  replied  Betsey,  bustling  about 
the  room  as  though  she  intended  to  do  some  des 
perate  thing. 


112  SEEK    ASTD    FIND,    OB 

For  my  own  part,  I  felt  that  it  would  be  useless 
for  me  to  resist.  Tom  was  strong,  and  I  was  wholly 
in  his  power  —  taken  by  surprise,  and  at  a  disadvan 
tage  which  I  could  not  overcome.  I  lay  still,  there 
fore,  and  thus  saved  some  hard  knocks. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  with  the  poor  boy? 
He  shan't  be  treated  so ! "  persisted  Betsey,  who 
had  not  talked  so  much  before  for  ten  years. 

"Be  still,  old  woman!  He's  a  bad  boy.  He  stole 
my  horse,  and  ran  away  with  a  little  girl.  I  shall 
not  hurt  him  if  he  behaves  himself,"  replied  Tom, 
who  appeared  to  be  afraid  she  would  call  in  some 
person  to  take  my  part. 

"You  act  like  a  brute.  You  treat  him  worse  than 
an  ox,"  continued  Betsey. 

"Now  get  up,  sir,"  said  Tom  to  me,  still  retaining 
his  hold  upon  my  coat  collar. 

He  helped  me  to  my  feet.  Being  vanquished,  I 
had  nothing  to  say,  and  I  uttered  no  complaint. 
When  I  rose,  he  tied  my  hands  behind  me  with 
his  handkerchief  I  submitted  because  it  would  have 
been  folly  for  me  to  resist;  but  I  intended  to  watch 
my  opportunity,  and  submit  no  longer  than  necessity 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  113 

compelled  me  to  do  so.  My  brutal  conqueror  took 
me  by  the  collar,  led  me  into  the  hall,  and  thence 
into  the  cellar.  In  one  corner  there  was  a  kind  of 
closet  partitioned  off  with  brick  walls,  which  had 
been  built  for  a  milk-room  ;  but  as  my  uncle  kept 
but  one  cow,  it  was  seldom  used.  There  was  no 
window  in  it,  and  a  more  damp,  dark,  and  disagree 
able  dungeon  it  would  be  difficult  for  a  boy  of  six 
teen  to  imagine.  It  had  a  heavy  wooden  door,  and 
altogether  the  place  looked  as  hopeless  as  it  was 
gloomy. 

Tom  led  me  up  to  the  door  and  thrust  me  in, 
\vith  my  hands  still  tied  behind  me.  The  only  ray 
of  hope  I  could  obtain  was  derived  from  the  fact 
that  there  was  no  lock  on  the  door. 

"Now,  Mr.  Ernest  Thornton,  it  is  my  turn,"  said 
Tom,  as  he  partially  closed  the  door  of  my  cell,  and 
gazed  in  upon  me.  "  You  are  a  smart  boy,  but  you 
have  rather  overdone  it  this  time.  I  told  you  in  the 
beginning  that  I  was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  You 
begin  to  believe  what  I  said  by  this  time.  Have 
you  anything  to  say  before  I  close  the  door?" 

"No,"  I  replied. 

8 


114  SEEK    AJO)    FIXD,    OB 

"  A  couple  of  days  in  this  place  will  bring  you  to 
your  senses,"  added  Tom,  malignantly. 

I  made  no  reply.  I  did  not  feel  like  talking.  1 
was  busy  thinking  how  I  should  recover  the  ground 
I  had  lost.  I  saw  that  the  cellar  wall  was  not  laid 
in  mortar,  except  two  or  three  feet  at  the  top  and 
above  the  ground.  I  had  already  made  up  my  mind 
that  this  wall  would  begin  to  come  down  as  soon 
as  I  was  left  alone. 

While  I  was  looking  at  the  situation,  old  Betsey 
—  whom  I  had  never  suspected  of  having  the  least 
interest  in  me  —  tottered  down  the  cellar  stairs,  and 
protested  that  I  should  not  be  confined  in  such  a 
place.  Tom  told  her  it  was  her  employer's  orders, 
and  drove  her  out  of  the  cellar.  I  was  satisfied  that 
the  old  housekeeper  was  not  a  party  to  the  deceit 
by  which  I  had  been  lured  into  the  trap.  My  uncle 
told  her  that  he  and  Tom  were  going  to  Parkville 
after  the  horse,  as  Betsey  explained  to  me  after, 
wards,  bidding  her  call  me  to  breakfast,  that  I  might 
not  be  late  to  school.  This  was  Tom's  plan  to  in- 
snare  me,  and  during  this  time  he  was  in  the  cellar, 
preparing  the  dungeon  for  my  reception.  My  uncle 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  115 

and   old  Jerry  had  gone  in  the   buggy  after    Tom's 
horse  and  chaise. 

'"Ernest,  I  am  \dlling  to  make  terms  with  you 
now,"  said  Tom,  after  he  had  got  rid  of  Betsey.  "  I 
came  over  here  after  that  girl.  You  say  you  know 
where  she  is.  If  you  will  tell  me  where  I  can  find 
her,  I  will  not  shut  you  up.  Will  you  do  it?" 

u  No ! "  I  answered,  as  decidedly  as  I  could  speak 
the  word. 

"  Think  well  of  it.  If  I  can't  find  her  with  your 
help,  I  shall  find  her  without  it." 

"  Perhaps  you  will." 

"The  Hale  boy  was  with  you.  I  shall  have  him 
arrested  at  once  by  the  sheriff." 

"Bob  Hale  don't  know  where  the  girl  is.  If  he 
did,  he  wouldn't  tell.  When  you  arrest  him,  he  can 
tell  a  good  story  about  Mrs.  Loraine's  motherly  care 
of  Kate." 

Tom  bit  his  lips;  he  had  no  more  idea  of  arrest 
ing  Bob  than  he  had  of  arresting  me. 

"  Once  more,  before  I  shut  you  up,  will  you  tell 
me  where  the  girl  is,  or  not  ? " 

"  I  will  not !  I  will  rot  in  this  hole  before  I  wilJ 
tell  a  word  about  the  girl." 


116  SEEK    AND    FLND,    OK 

He  slammed  the  door  upon  me,  and  I  was  in  uttei 
darkness.  I  heard  him  putting  props  against  the 
door,  and  pounding  them  down  so  as  to  make  it  se 
cure.  Then  all  was  still  outside,  and  I  concluded 
that  he  had  gone  up  stairs.  I  had  a  faint  hope  that 
old  Betsey  would  come  down  and  release  me ;  but  I 
immediately  went  to  work  upon  the  handkerchief 
which  confined  my  hands. 

My  captor  had  crossed  my  wrists  and  tied  them 
together  in  this  position.  I  twisted  and  wrenched 
till  I  stretched  the  linen  of  the  handkerchief,  and 
strained  the  knot  enough  to  permit  me  to  pull  my 
hands  through  my  bonds,  and  free  them.  The  dark 
ness  was  gloomy  and  oppressive,  even  after  I  had 
been  only  half  an  hour  in  the  dungeon.  I  felt  that, 
for  Kate's  sake,  as  well  as  my  own,  I  must  get  out. 
For  the  present  she  was  safe,  for  Tom  had  destroyed 
the  skiff,  so  that  he  could  not  go  out  to  the  Splash ; 
but  the  poor  girl  would  suffer  agonies  of  terror  if  I 
did  not  go  to  her  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

I  was  almost  furious  when  I  thought  of  my  situa 
tion  ;  of  Kate  in  the  cuddy  of  the  boat,  and  of  the 
will  and  money  in  the  closet.  I  was  afraid  my  uncle 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  117 

would  discover  his  loss  before  I  could  escape.  I 
could  hardly  keep  from  weeping  with  vexation  as  I 
thought  of  my  misfortune.  But  it  was  not  my  style 
to  groan  long  over  my  mishaps,  when  there  was  a 
chance,  however  desperate,  of  retrieving  them.  I  was 
determined  either  to  break  rny  way  out  of  my  pris 
on,  or  convince  my  jailer  it  was  not  strong  enough 
to  hold  me. 

I  felt  of  the  stones  that  formed  the  wall,  and 
pulled  out  as  many  of  the  small  ones  as  were  loose 
enough  to  permit  their  removal.  I  then  used  my 
strength  on  a  dozen  of  the  larger  ones,  till  I  found 
one  which  could  be  taken  out.  How  I  wished  then 
for  an  iron  bar !  With  such  an  implement  I  felt  that 
I  could  soon  let  in  the  daylight.  But  I  had  no  bar, 
and  after  removing  one  stone  about  the  size  of  my 
head,  I  was  utterly  unable  to  start  another  around  it. 

I  was  perplexed.  I  felt  in  my  pockets  for  some 
thing  to  help  me.  I  don't  know  but  I  had  a  faint 
hope  of  finding  an  iron  bar ;  but  certainly  there  was 
none  there,  or  anything  else  with  which  I  could  op 
erate  on  the  obdurate  stone  wall.  In  my  perplexity, 
I  "fished  my  pockets"  thoroughly.  In  the  usual  as- 


118  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

sortment  a  boy  carries  with  him,  I  had  a  quantity  of 
matches.  I  was  not  a  smoker,  but  I  always  found  it 
convenient  to  have  a  match  when  I  happened  to  be 
out  after  dark  in  the  Splash,  to  light  my  cabin  lan 
tern. 

These  matches  were  suggestive,  for  the  door  of  my 
prison  was  made  of  wood,  and  fire  would  consume 
and  destroy  it.  There  were  several  shelves  across 
the  end  of  my  dungeon,  one  of  which  I  pulled  down, 
and  with  my  knife  proceeded  to  whittle  off  the  shav 
ings  for  a  fire.  While  I  was  thus  engaged,  I  heard 
a  vehicle  drive  up  to  the  door.  It  was  immediately 
followed  by  another,  and  I  concluded  that  my  uncle 
had  returned.  I  had  made  a  large  pile  of  shavings. 
I  then  went  to  work  on  the  lower  part  of  the  door, 
cutting  into  it,  and  roughening  the  boards,  so  that 
the  fire  could  be  readily  communicated  to  it. 

Having  completed  my  preparations,  I  lighted  a 
match,  and  set  fire  to  the  shavings.  They  were 
rather  damp,  and  it  was  some  time  before  I  could 
get  up  a  free  fire.  I  moved  the  combustibles  against 
the  door;  but  the  wood  was  saturated  with  moist 
ure,  and  I  was  almost  suffocated  by  the  smoke,  while 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  119 

the  door  appeared  to  be  only  charred  by  the  heat 
of  the  fire.  While  I  was  busily  engaged  in  this 
effort,  the  props  were  removed,  and  the  door  thrown 
open.  My  uncle  rushed  forward  and  stamped  out 
the  fire  I  had  kindled. 

"What  are  you  doing,  Ernest?"  gasped  my  uncle. 

"  Working  my  way  out  of  this  hole,"  I  replied. 

"There,  Thomas,  you  can  see  what  the  boy  is," 
groaned  my  uncle.  "  But  he  shall  not  be  kept  in  such 
a  place  as  this." 

"  Very  well,  governor,"  said  Tom,  who  had  followed 
his  father.  "  Put  him  into  his  chamber." 

My  captor  came  forward,  and  taking  me  by  the 
collar,  led  me  out  of  my  dungeon.  He  had  a  club 
in  his  hand,  and  assured  me  if  I  made  any  resistance, 
he  would  hit  me  on  the  head  with  it.  Deeming  it 
prudent  to  be  submissive,  I  permitted  him  to  con 
duct  me  to  my  chamber.  The  blinds  were  closed, 
and  I  saw  that  the  room  had  been  prepared  for  my 
reception.  It  afterwards  came  to  my  knowledge  that 
my  uncle  positively  refused  to  permit  me  to  be  con 
fined  in  the  cellar;  and  they  had  nailed  up  the  win 
dows  and  the  blinds  before  they  removed  me  to  my 


120  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

new  prison.  I  was  locked  in,  after  old  Betooy  Lad 
placed  on  the  table  food  enough  for  my  breakfast 
and  dinner. 

My  uncle  was  human.  After  all  the  wrongs  he 
and  his  graceless  son  had  inflicted  on  me,  he  was  not 
willing  that  I  should  be  injured.  I  had  always 
thought  he  hated  me,  but  compared  with  Tom,  his 
feelings  were  tender  and  fatherly.  The  first  thing  I 
did  when  I  was  left  alone  was  to  assure  myself  that 
the  valuables  in  the  closet  were  safe,  They  were 
just  where  I  had  left  them,  for  my  uucle  had  been 
too  busy  to  open  his  strong  box. 

I  ate  my  breakfast,  and  then  dressed  myself  in  my 
best  clothes,  ready  for  my  final  departure,  for  a  win 
dow-sash  and  a  pair  of  blinds  could  not  keep  me.  I 
marvelled  that  my  jailers  expected  to  confine  me  in 
my  chamber ;  but  I  concluded  that  they  were  on  the 
watch  below  ready  to  check  any  movement  I  might 
make.  I  examined  the  windows,  and  found  they 
were  nailed  down  on  the  outside.  My  fowling-piece, 
fishing-rods,  and  other  articles  which  could  be  used 
as  offensive  weapons,  were  removed  froiA  the  room. 

It    was    necessary   that    I    should    strike    and   run 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  121 

within  the  same  moment.  I  wanted  a  battering-ram, 
with  which  to  smash  the  window  and  the  blind. 
With  the  bed-key,  which  was  in  the  closet,  I  took 
down  the  bedstead  as  quietly  as  I  could.  Reserving 
one  side  piece  for  use,  I  placed  the  rest  against  the 
door,  so  that  it  could  not  be  opened.  I  then  put  the 
will  and  the  money  into  my  pocket,  and  filled  a 
napkin  with  food  for  Kate.  A  few  quick  and  vigor 
ous  blows  with  the  side  piece  of  the  bedstead  re 
duced  the  window  and  the  blinds  to  a  wreck,  and  I 
leaped  out  upon  the  roof  of  the  library,  just  as  I 
heard  my  persecutors  at  the  door  of  the  chamber. 


122  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 


CHAPTER  XI. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  MAKES  GOOD  HIS  RETREAT  FROM 
THE  COTTAGE. 

WITHOUT  remorse,  I  glanced  behind  me  at 
the  wreck  I  had  made  of  the  window.  I 
did  not  regard  myself  as  responsible  for  any  damage 
I  had  caused  in  breaking  away  from  my  persecutors. 
Not  only  Tom,  but  my  uncle,  was  engaged  in  a  con 
spiracy  against  me,  in  which  they  had  been  concerned 
from  my  early  childhood.  Indeed,  I  had  already  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  cottage  and  grounds  had 
been  purchased  with  money  which  rightfully  belonged 
to  me. 

Judging  from  the  conversations  to  which  I  had  lis* 
tened,  detached  and  indefinite  as  they  were,  I  was 
satisfied  that  my  uncle  and  his  son  intended  to  cheat 
me  out  of  my  birthright,  and  out  of  the  inheritance 
my  father  had  left  for  me.  But  this  was  nothing 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMART    BOY.  123 

compared  with  the  statement  of  my  uncle  that  my 
mother  was  insane,  and  the  fact  that  I  was  not  per 
mitted  to  know  even  whei*e  she  was.  I  began  to 
doubt  whether  she  was  insane,  or  had  ever  been.  It 
was  possible  that  my  uncle,  to  obtain  his  brother's 
property,  had  confined  her  in  a  lunatic  asylum  on  a 
mere  pretence.  My  blood  boiled  with  indignation  as 
I  thought  of  these  things,  and  I  did  not  wonder  that 
my  uncle  could  not  sleep  nights,  that  he  was  a  mis 
anthrope,  and  hated  the  sound  of  his  own  and  of 
other  people's  voices. 

With  such  provocation  I  could  have  justified  my 
self  in  smashing  all  the  windows  in  the  cottage,  or 
even  in  burning  the  house  to  the  ground.  I  thanked 
God  that  I  had  escaped,  when  I  stood  upon  the 
roof;  and  without  the  loss  of  a  moment,  I  made  my 
way  to  the  ground.  I  caught  one  glance  of  Tom's 
face  as  he  came  to  the  window  before  my  descent. 
But  he  was  active  and  resolute,  and  almost  as  soon 
as  I  reached  the  ground,  he  had  descended  the  stairs, 
and  passed  out  upon  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  house. 

There  was  nothing  more  at  the  cottage  for  me, 
and  now  all  I  wanted  was  to  get  on  board  of  the 


124  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

Splash.  My  skiff  was  destroyed,  and  my  pursuer 
would  not  permit  me  to  build  a  raft.  I  could  have 
swum  off  to  her;  but  the  water  might  injure,  if  not 
ruin,  the  priceless  document  in  my  pocket.  Tom  was 
at  my  heels,  and  all  I  could  do  was  to  run. 

"Stop!"  shouted  Tom. 

I  ran  all  the  faster  when  the  sound  of  his  voice 
assured  me  how  near  he  was. 

"  Stop !     If  you  don't  stop,  I'll  shoot  you ! "  cried  he. 

I  glanced  over  my  shoulder,  and  saw  that  he  had 
my  fowling-piece  in  his  hand ;  at  least  there  was  no 
other  gun  about  the  place.  But  I  was  not  much 
alarmed  by  the  threat,  for  the  gun  had  not  been 
used  for  months,  and  I  did  not  believe  it  was  in  con 
dition  to  go  off.  The  wretch  expected  to  frighten 
me  by  this  demonstration ;  but  if  he  had  had  a 
twenty-four  pounder,  loaded  with  grape,  it  would 
not  have  stopped  me  till  the  shot  struck  me. 

Tom  slackened  his  pace  and  raised  the  gun  to  his 
shoulder,  threatening  again  to  shoot  me  if  I  did  not 
stop.  The  trick  only  gave  me  the  advantage,  for  I 
gained  several  rods  while  he  was  making  the  feint 
with  the  gun.  I  reached  the  foot-bridge  over  the 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  125 

brook,  and,  profiting  by  my  former  experience,  1 
adopted  the  same  course  again.  I  had  just  time  to 
drag  the  the  plank  over  the  stream  when  my  pur 
suer  reached  the  opposite  bank.  I  felt  that  I  was 
safe  now ;  and,  out  of  breath  with  my  exertions,  I 
did  not  hurry  myself. 

"  Will  you  stop,  or  shall  I  send  a  bullet  after  you  ?  " 
shouted  Tom ;  and  I  could  easily  imagine  the  chagrin 
with  which  he  again  found  his  progress  checked. 

I  made  no  reply,  but  continued  on  my  way  down 
the  path.  I  did  not  lose  any  time,  for  it  was  possible 
that  he  might,  in  his  desperation,  wade  across  the 
stream,  and  follow  up  the  pursuit.  Some  distance 
behind  him,  I  saw  my  uncle  hastening  to  the  spot 
with  what  speed  he  could  command.  I  was  satisfied 
with  myself.  I  had  fought  a  hard  battle  with  my 
enemy,  but  I  had  won  the  victory. 

A  little  way  beyond  the  brook  I  came  to  the  fence 
that  divided  my  uncle's  estate  from  that  of  his  near 
est  neighbor.  I  leaped  over,  and  continued  my  walk 
till  I  came  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Van  Wort.  He  was 
a  farmer,  and  had  two  grown-up  sons,  one  of  whom 
kept  a  small  flat-boat  for  fishing  and  gunning  pur- 


1:26  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

poses.  I  saw  the  owner  of  the  boat  hoeing  in  the 
garden.  Though  I  was  hardly  acquainted  with  him, 
I  went  to  him  and  asked  if  he  would  lend  me 
his  boat  for  half  an  hour.  I  found  he  was  a  crabbed 
fellow,  and  was  not  disposed  to  oblige  me.  I  told 
him  that  I  was  in  a  great  hurry,  that  my  own  skiff 
was  broken,  and  if  he  would  lend  me  his  I  would  give 
him  a  dollar  for  the  use  of  her.  The  dollar  opened 
his  eyes  and  his  heart,  if  he  had  any.  He  consented 
to  the  bargain,  and  I  paid  him  in  advance,  telling 
him  I  would  push  the  skiff  ashore  when  I  was  done 
with  her,  for  I  could  not  land  in  the  Splash.  He 
promised  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  her,  brought  the 
oars  from  the  barn,  and  I  pushed  off. 

I  had  pulled  but  a  short  distance  when  I  discov 
ered  Tom  and  my  uncle  walking  along  the  path  by 
the  side  of  the  lake.  They  had  crossed  the  brook, 
Tom  having  probably  waded  over,  and  restored  the 
plank  for  his  father  to  go  over  upon.  I  paid  no  at 
tention  to  them,  though  Tom  repeatedly  shouted  to 
me.  They  retraced  their  steps  as  I  rowed  along  the 
shore ;  but  they  were  powerless  to  injure  me  while 
the  deep  waters  of  the  lake  lay  between  us.  I  reached 
the  Splash,  and  went  on  board  of  her. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  127 

"  Good  morning,  Miss  Loraine.  How  do  you  do  ?  " 
I  said,  going  to  the  cuddy. 

"Nicely,  I  thank  you,"  replied  Kate. 

"  Have  you  been  comfortable  in  your  cabin  ? " 

"Very;  as  nice  as  a  bug  in  a  rug.  But  I  was 
afraid  something  had  happened,  as  you  did  not  come 
off  as  soon  as  I  expected." 

"  Something  has  happened ;  but  you  are  safe,  at 
any  rate,"  I  added.  "  We  will  talk  about  that  by 
and  by.  Will  you  hand  me  the  tiller,  if  you  please  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  it  is,"  said  she,  laughing ;  and 
everything  appeared  to  be  sunshine  with  her.  "  Here 
is  the  key;  you  can  open  the  door." 

She  handed  it  to  me  through  one  of  the  ventila 
tors,  and  I  unlocked  the  door. 

"  Don't  show  yourself,  Kate ;  for  we  are  closely 
watched,"  I  added,  as  I  took  the  tiller  from  the 
cuddy.  "  Tom  Thornton  is  on  the  shore  with  my 
uncle.  Don't  let  him  see  you." 

"  Mercy ! "  exclaimed  she,  crouching  down  in  the 
berth,  as  if  afraid  he  would  look  through  the  side  of 
the  boat. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed.    There  is  no  danger.    The  wind 


128  SEEK   AND  FIND,   OB 

is  fresh,  and  he  could  not  catch  us,  even  if  he  had  a 
boat.  Here  is  some  breakfast  for  you,"  I  continued, 
handing  her  a  napkin  in  which  I  had  enclosed  the 
provision  sent  up  for  my  dinner  in  my  chamber. 

I  hoisted  the  fore  and  main  sails  of  the  boat,  and 
slipping  the  mooring,  ran  up  the  jib.  I  stood  over 
to  the  Van  Wort  place,  and  after  going  as  near  the 
shore  as  the  depth  of  water  would  permit,  I  headed 
the  skiff  to  the  bank,  and  gave  it  a  smart  push,  which 
drove  it  far  enough  upon  the  beach  to  hold  it,  just 
as  the  owner  of  it  came  to  receive  it.  Trimming  the 
sails,  I  went  down  the  lake  close-hauled. 

Kate  was  eating  her  breakfast,  and  I  was  glad  to 
be  alone  with  my  own  thoughts  for  a  time.  My  un 
cle  and  Tom  still  stood  on  the  shore  in  front  of  the 
cottage,  watching  me.  I  wanted  to  mature  my  plans. 
I  intended  to  go  to  New  York  with  Kate,  and  help 
her  find  her  uncle.  There  was  a  railroad  station  at 
Cannondale,  and  another  at  the  head  of  Adieno  Creek. 
It  would  be  safer  for  us  to  take  the  train  at  the  latter 
station.  Tom  Thornton  would  do  something.  He 
would  not  stay  another  hour  at  the  cottage.  He  had 
money  enough  and  energy  enough  to  cause  me  a 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  129 

great  deal  of  trouble.  I  had  no  doubt  that  he  would 
procure  a  whole  fleet  of  boats  to  pursue  me.  He 
would  even  charter  the  Champion  steamer,  if  he  could 
get  her. 

I  had  already  studied  the  railroad  time  tables,  and 
as  it  was  now  after  ten  in  the  forenoon,  there  would 
be  no  train  along  the  south  shore  till  between  three 
and  four  in  the  afternoon ;  and  Tom  would  have 
abundance  of  time  to  carry  out  any  plan  he  might 
devise.  I  did  not  wish  to  leave  Parkville  without 
seeing  Bob  Hale.  He  had  been  my  friend  and  con 
fidant,  and  I  might  not  see  him  again  for  weeks,  01 
even  months.  I  might  meet  him  at  recess  at  the  In 
stitute,  and  I  concluded  to  do  so. 

Just  then  it  occurred  to  me  that  if  I  went  off  with 
Kate,  I  should  leave  Bob  a  legacy  of  trouble  and 
confusion.  When  I  disappeared,  Tom  would  go  to 
my  friend,  and  harass  him,  perhaps  cause  his  arrest, 
I  was  not  willing  to  allow  this  if  it  could  possibly 
be  avoided.  It  would  be  better  and  fairer  for  me  to 
settle  all  this  business  with  Tom  before  I  left.  He 
still  stood  on  the  shore  with  his  father,  and  I  sup 
posed  he  was  watching  to  see  where  I  went,  hoping 
9 


130  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 

that  my  movements  would  give  him  a  clew  to  the 
hiding-place  of  Kate.  I  put  the  Splash  about,  and 
headed  her  towards  the  cottage. 

"Kate,"  I  called  to  her,  "you  may  come  out  i^ow, 
if  you  like." 

"Is  it  safe  to  do  so?  If  it  isn't,  I  had  just  as  lief 
stay  in  here,"  she  replied. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  think  I  am  crazy,  Kate ;  but  I 
wish  to  have  Tom  Thornton  see  you ; "  and  I  pro 
ceeded  to  explain  the  difficulty  under  which  poor 
Bob  would  labor  after  our  departure. 

"I  shall  do  just  what  you  tell  me,  Ernest  Thorn 
ton,  if  it  is  to  jump  overboard  "  replied  she,  coming 
out  of  the  cabin,  and  taking  a  seat  on  the  weather 
side  of  the  boat. 

With  the  wind  nearly  aft,  the  Splash  dashed  for 
ward  on  her  course.  I  ran  her  up  within  twenty 
yards  of  the  shore,  where  Tom  and  my  uncle  stood, 
and  then  threw  her  up  into  the  wind. 

"Mr.  Tom  Thornton,"  I  shouted,  "I  want  you  to 
understand  that  Miss  Loraine  has  been  on  board  of 
my  boat  all  night." 

It   must  have   been  a  great  satisfaction  to  him  to 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A   SMART   BOY.  131 

know  that  he  had  been  within  a  stone's  throw  of  her 
ever  since  his  arrival  at  the  cottage. 

"  Bring  her  ashore,  you  villain  !  "  cried  he,  stamping 
his  feet  with  rage  and  vexation. 

"  You  smashed  my  skiff  so  that  I  can't  land  here," 
I  replied. 

"  Ernest,  will  you  hear  me  ? "  called  uncle  Amos, 
as  the  Splash  filled  away  again. 

"  I  came  up  here  to  let  you  know  that  Bob  Hale 
hasn't  anything  to  do  with  this  business,"  I  shouted. 

The  boat  was  receding  from  the  shore,  and  noth 
ing  more  could  be  said.  I  saw  that  both  Tom's  and 
my  uncle's  horses  were  harnessed,  and  standing  at 
the  front  door  of  the  house.  I  watched  them  closely, 
and  presently  they  got  into  their  respective  vehicles, 
and  drove  off. 


132  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 


CHAPTER    XII. 

IN   WHICH   ERNEST   OBTAINS    SOME   VALUABLE   LETTERS. 

WHAT  will  they  do?"  asked  Kate,  trembling 
with  fear,  when  I  told  her  my  uncle  and 
Torn  had  driven  off. 

"  I  don't  know ;  that  is  what  I  would  like  to 
ascertain,"  I  replied,  considering  the  circumstances 
which  presented  themselves.  "If  they  were  going 
to  the  same  place,  they  would  have  taken  the  same 
vehicle.  It  is  about  fifteen  miles  round  by  the  road 
to  Cannondale.  I  think  one  of  them  must  have 
gone  that  way.  About  two  miles  below,  the  road 
lies  near  the  lake,  and  I  will  run  down  wrhere  I  can 
•ee  which  of  them  goes  in  that  direction." 

"I  am  terribly  frightened,  Ernest  Thornton,"  said 
my  fair  passenger,  after  I  had  headed  the  Splash  in 
the  direction  indicated. 

"I  cannot  deny,  Kate,  that  we  are  both  in  great 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  135 

danger  of  being  captured ;  but  I  shall  do  the  best  I 
can,  and  we  can  only  hope  that  it  will  come  otS 
right  in  the  end.  Tom  Thornton  will  do  everything 
that  mortal  man  can  do  to  catch  us." 

"I'm  afraid  you  are  doing  too  much  for  me,  Er 
nest  Thornton.  You  will  get  yourself  into  trouble,' 
she  added,  anxiously. 

"Don't  worry  about  me,  Kate.  I  think  Tort 
Thornton  has  a  stronger  desire  to  capture  me  nort 
than  he  has  you.  We  are  both  in  the  same  boat  in 
a  double  sense.  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it  by  and 
by.  I  must  keep  my  eyes  wide  open  now.  Of 
course  Tom  knows  you  have  an  uncle  in  New 
York." 

"  I  suppose  he  does." 

"Then  he  will  readily  understand  that  you  intend 
to  reach  him  if  you  can." 

"Mrs.  Lofaine  would  think  so,  I  know,  for  she 
burned  the  letter  I  wrote  to  my  uncle." 

"  There  goes  Tom  Thornton's  chaise,"  said  I,  point 
ing  to  the  vehicle,  as  we  reached  a  part  of  the  lake 
which  commanded  a  view  of  the  road.  "  He  has 
stopped  to  watch  the  boat.  I  know  where  he  is 
going  now,  and  that's  enough." 


134  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

"  What  will  you  do  ? "  asked  Kate,  fixing  the  gaze 
of  her  deep-blue  eyes  upon  me. 

"  I  hardly  know.  I  confess  that  my  plans  are  not 
arranged  yet,  and  everything  depends  upon  circum 
stances.  I  am  going  up  to  the  Institute  now  to  find 
Bob  Hale,  if  I  can." 

«  Will  that  be  safe  ?  " 

"  I  think  it  will.  No  boat  on  the  lake  can  catch 
the  Splash  in  this  breeze ;  and  Bob  may  be  able  to 
help  me." 

In  half  an  hour  we  were  off"  the  Institute  pier; 
but  the  recess  was  over,  and  the  students  were  all 
in  the  school-room.  It  was  not  safe  for  me  to  re 
main  long  in  this  vicinity,  for  my  uncle  had  by  this 
time  reached  Parkville,  and  had  probably  employed 
some  one  to  pursue  me.  I  wrote  a  note  to  Bob 
with  pencil,  on  a  slip  of  paper  I  had  in  my  pocket, 
and  running  the  Splash  up  to  the  pier,  sent  it  to 
the  school-room  by  one  of  the  men  who  was  at 
work  in  the  garden.  My  friend  appeared  immedi 
ately. 

"Come  on  board,  Bob.  I  have  a  great  deal  to 
eay  to  you,  and  only  a  little  time  to  say  it  in." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMAET   BOY.  13to 

"But  it  is  school  time,"  replied  Bob. 

"I  must  not  stop  here  a  moment.  I  am  going  off. 
Bob,  and  may  never  see  you  again,  at  least  not  for 
some  time." 

"  Why,  what's  up,  Ernest  ? "  he  asked,  as  he 
stepped  on  board,  his  scruples  removed  by  the  an 
nouncement  I  had  made. 

"  A  great  deal  has  happened  since  we  parted  last 
night,"  I  replied,  pushing  off  the  Splash  from  the 
pier. 

"How  do  you  do,  Miss  Loraine?"  continued  Bob. 
"I  am  glad  to  see  you  are  still  safe." 

"I  am  very  well,  thanks  to  Ernest  Thornton,"  she 
replied. 

I  headed  the  boat  up  the  lake  towards  the  cot 
tage  again,  and  proceeded  to  tell  Bob  all  that  had 
happened  since  midnight.  He  listened  in  amazement 
to  my  story.  I  showed  him  my  father's  will,  which 
I  had  not  yet  read,  and  we  went  through  it  together. 

"  It  is  very  plain  that  they  mean  to  cheat  you  out 
of  the  property  your  father  left  for  you,"  said  he. 

"That  is  clear  enough.  My  uncle  told  me  nearly 
a  year  ago  that  my  father  left  nothing  for  me." 


136  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OE 

"It  seems  that  your  father  died  in  England," 
added  Bob. 

"Yes;  in  London.  This  will  names  my  mother  as 
my  guardian,  and  my  uncle  Amos  as  the  trustee,  to 
take  care  of  the  property,  which,  it  seems,  was  all  in 
stocks  and  bonds.  But  my  uncle  says  my  mother  is 
in  an  insane  asylum ;  but  whether  in  England  or  the 
United  States,  I  don't  know,"  I  continued,  folding 
up  the  will. 

"  I  don't  see  how  your  uncle  did  it.  It  is  the 
most  infernal,  mean  business  I  ever  heard  of,"  said 
Bob,  indignantly.  "  But  what  are  you  going  to 
do?" 

"  I  am  going  to  find  my  mother  ?  " 

"How  will  you  find  her?  Where  will  you  look 
for  her?" 

"I  don't  know,"  !•  answered,  feeling  for  the  first 
time  that  my  information  was  very  insufficient. 

"  Were  there  no  other  papers  in  the  safe  ? " 

"  Plenty  of  them ;  but  I  was  so  agitated  I  could 
not  examine  them." 

"  But  what  are  you  going  to  do,  Ernest  ? " 

"I   am  going  to  New  York,  first;  then   **-•  Phila« 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  131 

delphia,  perhaps,  where  Tom.  Thornton  lives  when 
he  is  at  home.  I  may  find  out  something  there." 

"But  how  will  you  get  to  New  York?" 

"My  plan  was  to  run  up  the  creek,  and  take  the 
train  at  the  Adieno  station;  but  Tom  Thornton  hag 
gone  over  that  way,  and  I  am  afraid  he  will  have 
somebody  stationed  there  and  at  Cannondale  to  stop 
us.  If  you  could  help  me,  Bob  —  " 

"  Help  you !  certainly  I'll  help  you ! "  interposed 
he,  warmly.  "What  shall  I  do?" 

"If  you  could  get  a  team  and  drive  us  over  to 
Romer,  which  is  about  ten  miles,  we  could  take  the 
train  there  without  danger." 

"I'll  do  it." 

"And,  Bob,  you  may  tell  your  father  the  whole 
story,  and  then  he  won't  blame  you,"  I  added,  not 
"wishing  to  get  him  into  a  scrape. 

"My  father  is  away;  but  don't  worry  about  me. 
5Tou  are  clearly  in  the  right,  and  I  will  do  all  I  can 
for  you,  whatever  happens  to  me." 

"  Thank  you,  Bob.  The  time  will  come  when  I 
shall  stand  on  my  feet,  and  then  it  will  be  all  right 
with  you." 


138  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 

I  ran  the  Splash  up  a  small  creek  on  the  edge  of 
the  town,  and  landed  Bob.  He  was  to  procure  a 
horse  and  covered  wagon,  and  take  Kate  and  myself 
at  the  cottage ;  for,  now  that  Tom  and  my  uncle 
were  away,  it  seemed  to  be  the  safest  place  to  land. 
Besides,  I  had  another  object  in  view  in  choosing 
this  locality. 

For  an  hour  I  cruised  about  the  upper  end  of  the 
lake,  until  I  saw  Bob  wave  his  handkerchief  from 
the  wagon,  near  the  cottage.  I  ran  the  Splash  into 
the  mouth  of  the  brook,  which  was  the  only  place 
where  the  water  was  deep  enough  to  permit  our 
landing.  I  lowered  the  sails,  and  fastened  the  paint 
er  to  a  tree.  I  directed  Kate  to  run  through  the 
grove  to  the  road,  where  she  would  find  the  wagon, 
and  promised  to  join  her  in  a  few  moments.  Trem 
bling  with  fear,  she  ran  up  the  hill,  and  I  hastened 
to  the  cottage.  My  uncle  was  away,  and  I  was  de 
termined  to  look  at  the  papers  in  the  safe  again,  foi 
I  was  convinced  that  I  could  not  find  my  mother 
without  more  information  than  I  possessed. 

I  went  directly  to  the  bay  window  where  I  had 
entered  the  library  before,  and  effected  an  entrance 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART   BOY.  139 

without  any  difficulty.  I  found  the  key  of  the  safe 
under  the  cushion,  where  I  had  left  it,  and  opened 
the  door.  Eagerly  I  seized  the  pile  of  papers  I  had 
seen  before,  and  began  to  examine  them.  Most  of 
them  were  unintelligible  to  me,  and  apparently  had 
no  connection  with  my  father's  affairs;  but  there 
were  several  letters  dated  at  London,  which  I  thrust 
into  my  pocket.  I  could  find  nothing  else  which 
promised  to  be  of  service  to  me,  and  I  was  about  to 
close  the  door,  when  I  discovered  a  sealed  letter 
lying  in  a  pigeon  hole  by  itself.  I  took  it  from  its 
place,  and  read  the  direction :  "  Robert  G.  Bunyard, 
47  Old  Jewry,  Chambers,  London." 

This  letter,  I  was  convinced,  would  afford  me  some 
information;  indeed,  the  address  would  give  me  a 
clew  to  what  I  wanted.  I  was  kneeling  on  one 
knee,  with  this  letter  in  my  hand,  when  the  door  of 
the  library  suddenly  opened,  and  my  uncle  stepped 
into  the  room. 

"  Ernest  Thornton ! "  cried  he,  in  tones  so  full  of 
terror  that  they  piei'ced  my  soul. 

He  sprang  towards  me;  but  I  stepped  out  of  hia 
way,  though  I  was  nearly  paralyzed  by  this  unex 


140  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

pected  interruption.  I  thrust  the  letter  into  my 
pocket,  and  stood  at  bay  near  the  window  by  which 
I  had  entered. 

"  What  have  you  done  ? "  gasped  uncle  Amos,  as 
he  staggered  towards  me,  his  face  pale  as  a  sheet, 
and  his  limbs  trembling  in  every  fibre.  "What 
papers  have  you  taken  ?  " 

"My  father's  will  for  one,"  I  replied,  almost  as 
much  disturbed  as  he  was. 

"  O  Heaven  ! "  groaned  he. 

"Uncle  Amos,  will  you  tell  me  now  where  my 
mother  is  ?  " 

"  O,  Ernest !  I  am  ruined !  "  exclaimed  he,  sink 
ing  into  a  chair. 

"Will  you  tell  me  where  my  mother  is?"  I  re 
peated,  with  all  the  earnestness  I  could  command. 

"Is  this  the  return  you  make  to  me  for  all  my 
kindness  to  you  ? "  he  added,  in  a  choking  voice. 
"I  have  given  you  all  you  wanted  —  boats,  money, 
everything.  Have  pity  on  me,  Ernest.  I  —  I  shall 
—  I  shall  go  mad!" 

"I  should  think  you  would,"  I  replied,  having  in 
eome  degree  recovered  my  self-possession.  "  You 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A    SMART    BOY.  141 

told  me  my  father  left  nothing  for  me;  that  my 
mother  was  in  an  insane  asylum." 

"She  is,  Ernest  —  she  is,"  said  he. 

"  Where  ? "  I  demanded,  in  a  loud,  fierce  tone. 

"I  cannot  tell  you.  Where  is  Thomas?  Send 
for  him,  and  he  will  make  it  all  right.  You  shall 
have  every  dollar  that  belongs  to  you,  Ernest.  I 
am  a  miserable  wretch ;  but  I  did  not  do  this  deed 
for  my  own  sake.  Send  for  Thomas." 

"I  have  had  enough  of  Thomas.  He  would  cut 
my  throat  as  readily  as  he  would  turn  his  hand. 
Will  you  tell  me  where  my  mother  is,  or  shall  I 
find  her  myself?" 

"You  cannot  find  her,  Ernest.  Be  calm,  and  you 
shall  have  all.  Send  for  Thomas." 

"I  will  not  send  for  him.  I  don't  care  so  much 
for  the  money  as  I  do  for  my  mother.  Tell  me 
where  she  is,  or  send  for  her." 

"  She  could  not  come." 

"Then  I  can  go  to  her." 

"Sit  down,  Ernest,  and  be  calm." 

"I'm  calm  enough.     I  could  forgive  you  for  any- 


142  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OR 

thing  you  have  done  to  me.  If  you  will  not  tell 
me  where  she  is,  I  shall  find  her  myself." 

"  You  cannot  find  her." 

"I  can  apply  to  Mr.  Robert  G.  Bunyard  —  and  —  * 

My  uncle  sprang  to  his  feet,  uttered  a  cry  of  ago- 
hy,  and  attempted  to  stagger  towards  me ;  but  his 
legs  yielded  beneath  him,  and  he  sank  upon  the 
floor.  He  had  either  fainted  or  fallen  in  a  fit.  I 
called  old  Betsey,  and  she  and  I  placed  him  on  a 
sofa.  She  said  he  had  only  fainted,  and  wanted  to 
know  what  had  happened.  I  replied  that  my  uncle 
would  tell  her  if  he  thought  best.  We  bathed  his 
head  and  rubbed  his  temples  till  he  opened  his  eyes. 

"  Send  for  Thomas,"  said  he,  feebly. 

I  was  satisfied  that  he  would  recover,  and  being 
perfectly  willing  Tom  should  be  sent  for,  I  told 
Jerry  where  he  could  probably  be  found.  I  then 
left  the  house  by  the  front  door.  My  uncle's  horse 
stood  at  the  hitching-post.  He  had  probably  em 
ployed  some  one  to  follow  up  the  Splash,  and  then 
returned  to  the  house.  As  I  went  out,  I  saw  a 
large  sail-boat  standing  up  the  lake,  which  I  con- 


THE  AD VENTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY.      143 

eluded  was  in  pursuit  of  me.  Hastening  up  the 
hill,  I  found  Bob  greatly  alarmed  at  my  long  ab 
sence. 

"  I  was  afraid  something  had  happened  to  you," 
said  he. 

"Drive  on,  and  I  will  tell  you  about  it,"  I  re 
plied,  as  I  seated  myself  in  tne  wagon. 


144  SEEK   AND   FIND,  OB 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

IN  WHICH   ERNEST   LEAVES    PARKVILLE,   AND    TAKES 
THE   TRAIN   FOR   THE   EASTWARD. 

WHAT  kept  you  so  long  ? "  asked  Bob,  when 
I  was  seated.  "I  was  sure  something  had 
gone  wrong  with  you." 

"  \  don't  know  whether  it  has  gone  right  or  wrong. 
I  went  into  the  library,  and  opened  the  safe  again. 
While  I  was  looking  at  the  papers,  my  uncle  came  in." 

"  Whew  ! "  whistled  Bob.  "  There  was  a  storm  in 
the  library  about  that  time  — -  wasn't  there  ?  " 

"  Not  much  of  a  storm.  I  pity  my  uncle  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart.  He  is  suffering  more  than  you 
can  imagine  or  I  can  describe,  and  he  has  been  a 
sufferer  for  years,"  I  replied. 

"  Well,  what  did  he  say  to  you  ? "  asked  Bob,  who 
did  not  ?'jem  to  be  in  the  humor,  at  that  moment, 
for  moral  ,2ing. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  145 

I  described  the  scene  which  had  occurred  in  the 
library  as  minutely  as  I  could,  —  and  Kate  and  Bob 
were  thrilled  by  the  narrative.  For  my  own  part  I 
had  not  yet  recovered  from,  the  shock  it  had  given 
me.  The  expression  of  agony  on  my  uncle's  face 
haunted  my  imagination.  I  could  still  see  his  pale 
face  and  his  quivering  lip,  and  his  piteous  pleading 
lingered  in  my  ears.  Most  terrible  are  the  sufferings 
of  the  evil-doer,  and  I  resolved  anew  that  I  would 
always  be  true  to  God  and  principle.  What  were 
mines  of  wealth  to  a  man  tortured  with  the  pangs  of 
remorse  ? 

"  Do  you  think  there  is  any  danger  that  we  shall 
be  pursued  ?  "  asked  Bob. 

"  Not  the  least,"  I  replied.  "  I  don't  think  any  one 
will  suspect  that  we  have  left  town.  I  believe  my 
uncle  engaged  a  boatman  to  pursue  the  Splash.  I 
saw  a  schooner,  which  I  think  was  the  Alert,  stand 
ing  up  the  lake,  after  we  had  landed.  They  will  find 
the  Splash  in  the  brook  where  I  left  her.  Old  Jerry 
was  going  over  after  Tom  Thornton,  and  very  likely 
he  will  reach  the  cottage  some  time  this  afternoon. 
As  it  is  almost  a  matter  of  life  and  death  with  him, 
10 


146  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

no  doubt  he  will  follow ;  but  he  will  be  a  day  be 
hind  us.  Now,  Bob,  I  want  to  look  over  these 
papers,  so  as  to  determine  what  I  am  to  do." 

I  read  my  father's  will  again.  It  appeared  from 
this  document  that  he  belonged  to  the  city  of  Phila, 
delphia,  but  was  temporarily  residing  in  London. 
How  long  he  lived  there,  or  for  what  purpose,  I 
had  no  means  of  knowing.  His  property,  consisting 
of  stocks,  bonds,  and  other  securities,  amounted  to 
over  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  the  in 
come  of  one  third  of  which,  after  paying  legacies,  was 
placed  in  trust  for  the  use  of  my  mother  during  her 
lifetime,  and  two  thirds  in  trust  for  his  son  during 
his  minority.  Five  thousand  dollars  was  given  to  his 
brother,  who  was  appointed  his  sole  executor  and 
trustee,  with  an  annuity  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars, 
payable  from  the  income  of  the  trust  funds,  during 
the  minority  of  his  son  Ernest ;  and  of  five  hundred 
dollars  during  the  life  of  his  wife,  if  she  survived  the 
son's  maturity.  In  the  event  of  his  wife's  decease, 
her  third  was  to  be  held  in  trust  for  his  son.  The 
mother  was  appointed  the  guardian  of  the  son ;  and 
if  the  son  died  before  he  was  twenty-one,  then  the 
property  was  to  go  to  his  brother,  "  the  said  Amos." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  147 

"It  is  rather  a  mixed-up  mess,"  said  I,  perplexed 
by  the  contingencies  and  the  repetitions. 

"I  don't  think  so,"  replied  Bob,  who  was  more  of 
a  lawyer  than  I  was.  "  I  understand  it  well  enough. 
Your  father  gives  your  uncle  five  thousand  dollars  in 
the  first  place,  and  then  the  income  of  one  third  to 
your  mother,  and  two  thirds  to  you  till  you  are  of 
age.  If  your  mother  is  living  when  you  are  twenty- 
one,  your  uncle  pays  you  your  two  thirds ;  if  she  is 
not  living,  he  is  to  pay  you  the  whole ;  and  that  ends 
his  connection  with  the  business.  He  is  to  have  fif 
teen  hundred  dollars  a  year  for  taking  care  of  the 
property." 

"  I  understand  all  that,"  I  added. 

"  The  rest  of  it  is  clear  enough.  If  your  mother 
dies  before  you  are  twenty-one,  all  the  income  goes 
to  you.  Whenever  your  mother  dies,  her  share  goes 
to  you.  If  you  die  before  your  mother,  your  share 
goes  to  your  uncle;  and  then  your  mother's  share 
goes  to  him  or  his  heirs  at  her  death.  It  says  at  the 
end  there  that  your  uncle  shall  not  be  required  to 
give  bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  bis  duty 
under  the  will.  Don't  you  understand  it  ?  " 


148  SEEK    AJSTD    FIND,    OR 

"I  think  I  do;  at  least  I  understand  enough  ot 
:t.  I  would  give  all  the  money  to  know  where  try 
poor  mother  is.  I  care  more  for  her  than  I  do  for 
myself." 

"I  think  you  will  find  her." 

"  O,  I  hope  you  will ! "  exclaimed  Kate. 

"  I  heard  Tom  tell  my  uncle  that  he  had  given 
him  all  the  money  he  wanted,"  I  added.  "  What  do 
you  suppose  that  means?" 

"  I  suppose  your  uncle  has  given  up  the  property 
to  Tom,"  replied  Bob. 

"Tom  lives  in  Philadelphia  —  don't  he,  Kate?" 

"  I  think  he  does ;  indeed  I  am  pretty  sure  of  it," 
she  answered. 

"  I  can't  see  how  they  have  managed  the  business 
without  discovery.  My  father  must  have  had  some 
friends  who  knew  about  his  affairs." 

"  And  your  mother,  too,"  added  Bob.  "  I  don't  see 
through  it ;  but  I  suppose  you  will  understand  it  one 
of  these  days." 

"  Bob,  I  don't  like  to  carry  this  will  round  with 
me.  I  may  lose  it,  or  Tom  Thornton  may  get  it 
from  me.  I  want  you  to  take  it.  Give  it  to 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  140 

your  father,  and  ask  him  to  keep  it  safe  for  me. 
And  when  I  want  a  powerful  friend,  I  shall  call  upon 
him." 

"  You  may  be  sure  he  will  do  all  he  can  foi^  you,'' 
said  Bob,  heartily,  as  he  carefully  deposited  the  pre 
cious  document  in  his  pocket.  "  What  else  have  you, 
Ernest  ?  " 

"  Here  is  a  letter  directed  to  '  Robert  G.  Bunyard, 
London,"  I  replied,  producing  it. 

"I  wouldn't  open  that  yet.  What  else  have 
you  ?  " 

"  Here  are  half  a  dozen  letters,"  I  added,  opening 
one  of  them. 

"What  does  it  say?  —  read  it,"  said  Bob,  impa 
tiently. 

I  read  it,  and  it  proved  to  be  an  acknowledgment 
of  the  receipt  of  two  hundred  pounds,  signed  by 
Bunyard. 

Four  others  were  of  similar  import,  and  all  of  them 
were  dated  in  different  years.  The  sixth  began  in 
the  same  manner,  acknowledging  a  like  sum  of 
money.  It  was  dated  three  years  back.  I  read 
aloud,  with  intense  emotion,  a  few  lines  that  fol 
lowed  the  business  matter. 


150  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OK 

"  'The  poor  lady  is  much  more  quiet  and  content 
ed  in  her  new  home  than  she  was  at  my  last  writ 
ing,  and  her  physician  hopes  that  she  will  soon  be 
quite  reconciled.  She  persists  in  declaring  that  she 
is  entirely  well,  and  wishes  to  return  to  America. 
She  says  nothing  now  about  the  melancholy  death  of 
her  son,  and  we  hope  that  good  nursing  and  skilful 
treatment  will  eventually  restore  her,  at  least,  to  her 
ordinary  degree  of  health.'" 

"  My  poor  mother  !  "  I  exclaimed,  bursting  into 
tears,  and  crushing  the  letter  in  my  hand. 

"  How  sad !  "  said  Kate. 

"  I  must  go  to  her  at  once !  I  will  find  her,  if  1 
have  to  search  through  the  earth  for  her!"  I  ejacu 
lated,  bitterly,  as  I  wiped  away  my  tears.  "Did 
you  think  my  uncle  was  such  an  infernal  villain  ? " 

"  I  did  not,  Ernest ;  but  don't  be  distressed  about 
it.  The  letter  intimates  that  she  is  kindly  treated." 

"I  hope  she  is." 

"Have  you  any  more  papers,  Ernest?"  asked  Bob, 
apparently  as  much  with  the  intention  of  turning  my 
thoughts  away  from  the  sad  subject  which  agitated 
me,  as  of  gratifying  his  own  curiosity. 


THE    ADVENTUBES    OF    A    SMAJRT    BOY.  151 

"  That's  all,  Bob,"  I  replied,  taking  from  my  pocket 
the  piece  of  newspaper  in  which  I  had  rolled  up  the 
•noney  I  had  taken  fro*m  the  safe.  "  Was  it  stealing 
For  me  to  take  this  money  ? "  I  asked,  as  I  unrolled 
<ihe  bills. 

"  I  don't  think  it  was,"  replied  Bob.  "  You  took 
it  to  pay  your  expenses  in  finding  your  mother ;  and, 
even  if  it  were  a  technical  theft,  I  don't  think  any 
one  can  blame  you  for  what  you  have  done.  The 
money  is  really  your  own.  How  much  is  there  ? " 

"I  don't  know.     I  haven't  looked  at  it  before." 

"  Count  it,  Ernest." 

I  did  so,  and  was  appalled  to  find  I  had  taken  be 
tween  fourteen  and  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 

"All  right,  Ernest.  You  are  a  smart  fellow,  and 
I'll  tell  you  what  I  should  do  if  I  were  in  your  place," 
replied  Bob,  who  did  not  appear  to  be  alarmed  at 
the  magnitude  of  the  sum. 

"What?" 

"  I  would  go  to  England  in  the  very  next  steamer, 
and  find  my  mother." 

"Go  to  England!" 

"It   is    clear    enough   to   me   that   your  mother  is 


152  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

there.  If  you  expect  to  find  her,  you  must  go 
there." 

"I  will  do  it,  Bob,"  I  replied,  excited  at  the  idea 
of  crossing  the  ocean  in  search  of  my  mother.  • 

"  Certainly ;  do  it.  You  have  a  letter  directed  to 
—  what's  his  name?" 

"Robert  G.  Bunyard." 

"Go  to  London,  find  this  man,  deliver  the  letter, 
and  tell  him  you  want  to  see  the  poor  lady." 

"  I'll  do  it.  Don't  you  suppose  Tom  Thornton  will 
try  to  stop  me?" 

"  No  matter  if  he  does.     Keep  a  stiflf  upper  lip." 

"I  shall  do  that.  I  have  fought  my  way  through 
so  far,  and  I  shall  do  it  to  the  end,"  I  replied,  con 
fidently.  "  It  would  have  been  better  if  I  had  avoid 
ed  that  scene  with  my  uncle ;  but  I  could  not 
help  it." 

"  What  odds  will  that  make  ?  " 

"  A  great  deal  of  odds.  My  uncle  knows  now  that 
I  have  the  address  of  his  London  correspondent.  He 
will  tell  Tom  about  it.  My  uncle  may  be  full  of 
regret  and  sorrow ;  but  his  son  will  follow  me  like  a 
bloodhound.  But,  no  matter  what  happens,  Bob,  I 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  155 

shall  fight  my  way  through.      My  poor  mother  shall 
be  released  from  her  bondage,  and  be  happy  again." 

"  Right,  Ernest ! "  exclaimed  Bob,  as  he  urged  for 
ward  the  horse. 

We  rode  in  silence  for  several  miles ;  but  I  waa 
intensely  excited  as  I  thought  of  what  my  mother 
had  endured  for  a  dozen  years.  I  recalled  the  in 
distinct  visions  of  the  past,  which  still  lingered  in  my 
mind;  and  more  vividly  than  ever  before  it  came  to 
my  remembrance  that,  far  back  in  the  past,  I  had 
known  a  motherly  lady,  who  loved  and  cherished  me 
as  a  little  child.  The  dreary  waste  of  waters  which 
had  lingered  in  my  fancy  became  a  reality  to  me.  I 
had  crossed  the  ocean,  after  the  death  of  my  father ; 
but  I  did  not  yet  know  whether  I  was  born  in  Eng 
land  or  the  United  States. 

I  prayed  for  my  mother-,  and  she  seemed  more 
dear  to  me  than  if  I  had  seen  her  every  day  of  my 
life.  I  prayed  that  God  would  spare  her,  and  restore 
her  to  me ;  that  he  would  crown  with  success  my 
exertions  to  find  her.  I  am  sure  that,  in  all  my 
intense  emotion,  I  did  not  cherish  a  sentiment  of 
i-cvenge  towards  my  uncle,  or  even  towards  his  son, 


154  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

who  had  treated  me  like  a  brute.  My  silent  prayers 
warmed  my  heart,  and  blessed  me  with  new  strength 
and  courage. 

At  half  past  two  we  drove  into  Romer.  Bob  put 
up  his  horse  at  a  stable,  and  we  dined  together  at  a 
hotel.  At  quarter  past  four,  the  train  going  east 
arrived ;  and,  bidding  Bob  an  affectionate  farewell, 
after  he  had  promised  to  write  me  the  news  in  Park- 
ville  on  his  return,  Kate  and  I  entered  the  car,  and 
were  soon  whirling  away  from  the  town,  from  friends 
and  from  enemies. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  155 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST     WONDERS    WHAT    TOM 
WILL   DO,   AND   FINDS    OUT. 

THOUGH  I  had  not  travelled  much,  I  felt  quite 
at  home  on  the  train.  I  wa&  not  troubled 
with  any  of  that  disagreeable  quality  called  "green 
ness,"  for  I  had  read  the  newspapers  every  day  reg 
ularly  for  five  years;  and,  through  them,  a  person 
may  know  the  world  without  seeing  much  of  it. 
Besides,  nearly  all  my  schoolmates  had  come  from 
places  more  or  less  distant ;  and,  being  of  an  inquir 
ing  mind,  I  had  "  pumped  "  many  of  them  dry. 

With  what  I  had  read,  with  what  I  had  learned 
from  pictures,  maps,  and  diagrams,  and  with  what 
my  friends  had  told  me  while  we  were  sailing  in 
the  Splash,  I  had  a  tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  city 
of  New  York.  I  was  very  much  surprised,  when  I 
arrived  there,  to  find  how  familiar  the  streets  were 


156  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

to  me.  I  had  pored  for  hours  at  a  time  over  the 
street  maps  of  the  cities  in  Colton's  Atlas ;  I  had 
walked  in  imagination  through  the  streets  of  London 
and  Paris;  and  I  had  read  the  encyclopedia,  and  all 
the  books  of  travel  which  came  in  my  way. 

After  this  course  of  study,  I  was  not  burdened 
with  "greenness."  I  felt  at  home;  and,  though  I 
looked  with  interest  upon  scenes  and  objects  that 
Were  new  to  me,  I  did  not  keep  my  mouth  wide  open, 
or  stare  like  an  idiot.  I  take  all  this  pains  to  prove 
that  I  was  not  green,  because  I  had  an  especial  hor 
ror  of  verdancy  in  general,  and  verdant  boys  in  par 
ticular.  I  kept  myself  cool  and  self-possessed,  and  I 
was  delighted  to  find  that  no  one  looked  at  me,  or 
appeared  to  think  I  was  ill  at  ease. 

I  was  dressed  in  my  best  clothes,  and  though  they 
were  made  by  a  provincial  tailor,  Parkville  was  pro 
gressive  enough  to  boast  of  a  genuine  artist  in  this 
line.  There  was  nothing  about  my  companion,  any 
more  than  myself,  to  attract  attention.  Doubtless 
most  of  the  people  thought  we  were  brother  and 
sister,  or  that  some  elderly  gentleman  and  lady,  seat 
ed  in  another  part  of  the  car,  would  claim  us  when 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  157 

we  reached  our  destination.  I  suppose  I  thought  ot' 
all  these  things  because  I  feared  that  some  one  w:is 
looking  at  mo,  and  because  I  had  an  especial  drea^ 
of  being  noticed  at  that  time. 

Even  Bob  Hale,  partial  as  he  was,  and  sympathiz 
ing  with  me  to  the  fullest  extent,  could  not  denj 
that  I  had  been  guilty  of  what  he  called  "tech' 
nical  theft."  In  the  very  worst  possible  phase  in 
which  it  could  be  viewed,  I  had  robbed  my  uncle's 
safe  of  nearly  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  and  I  had  the 
money  in  my  pocket.  I  was  liable,  therefore,  to  be 
arrested  at  any  moment  when  the  intelligence  of  my 
constructive  crime  should  be  forwarded  to  the  proper 
officers,  or  whenever  a  deputy  sheriff  from  Parkville 
could  overtake  me. 

My  conscience  did  not  then,  and  it  does  not  now, 
accuse  me  of  the  crime  of  theft.  That  money  was 
really  mine,  though,  if  it  had  been  applied  or  in 
vested  by  my  legal  trustee,  in  accordance  with  the 
law,  and  the  last  will  of  my  father,  I  should  have 
had  no  more  right  to  touch  it  than  if  it  had  be- 

O 

longed  to  another  person.  My  uncle  and  his  grace" 
less  son  were  engaged  in  a  scheme  to  rob  me.  The 


158  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

latter  wished  to  destroy  the  will  at  once,  —  supposed 
it  had  already  been  done,  —  while  the  former,  from 
simply  prudential  motives,  preserved  it.  In  his  own 

words,  he  dared  not  burn  it.      He  evidently  kept  it 

» 

that  it  might  open  an  avenue  of  escape  in  case  his 
vicious  plan  miscarried.  After  I  had  been  disposed 
of,  sent  off,  and  had  "lost  the  run"  of  my  uncle, 
the  document  could  be  destroyed.  I  felt,  therefore, 
that  I  was  fully  justified  in  using  enough  of  the 
money,  at  least,  to  enable  me  to  obtain  justice. 

It  was  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  when  the  train 
arrived  at  Albany.  We  could  go  no  farther  that 
night,  and  I  felt  the  awkwardness  of  my  situation. 
I  did  not  like  to  go  to  a  hotel  with  Kate  Loraine ; 
and,  leaving  her  in  the  ladies'  room  at  the  railroad 
station,  I  looked  about  the  premises  till  I  found  a 
respectable-looking  baggage-master,  whom  I  asked  to 
direct  me  to  a  good  boarding-house.  He  gave  me 
the  street  and  number  of  one  he  could  recommend, 
and  I  called  a  carriage,  which  conveyed  us  to  the 
place  indicated.  It  was  kept  by  a  very  worthy  old 
lady,  who  fortunately  had  two  vacant  rooms,  though 
she  seemed  to  be  suspicious,  and  hesitated  about 
taking  us. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  159 

"Who  are  you?"  asked  she,  bluntly,  as  she  sur 
veyed  me  from  head  to  foot. 

"  My  name  is  Ernest  Thornton.  This  young  lady's 
name  is  Kate  Loraine.  She  is  going  to  her  uncle's 
in  New  York.  I  was  recommended  to  stop  at  your 
house,  and  I  have  money  enough  to  pay  for  all  we 
have,"  I  replied,  as  squarely  as  I  could  speak,  and 
telling  as  much  of  the  truth  as  it  was  important  for 
the  old  lady  to  know. 

"  How  long  do  you  want  to  stop  ? "  she  asked^ 
apparently  satisfied  with  rny  reply. 

"  I  don't  know  yet.  I  shall  be  able  to  tell  you 
to-morrow,"  I  answered,  for  I  had  some  doubts 
whether  I  should  leave  the  next  day. 

"Well,  I  suppose  I  can  keep  you,"  said  she. 

"Thank  you." 

"Have  you  had  any  supper?" 

"No,  ma'am,  we  have  not." 

I  paid  the  hackman,  who  stood  with  the  valise  I 
had  bought  in  Romer  for  Kate,  in  his  hand,  and  he 
departed.  I  don't  know  whether  any  one  thought 
we  were  runaways  or  not.  We  were  safe  for  the 
present.  The  old  lady  showed  us  our  rooms,  and 


160  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

then  went  to  get  us  some  supper.  I  sat  down  in 
my  chamber  to  think  over  the  situation.  I  was  not 
quite  satisfied,  and  of  course  I  wished  to  keep  out  of 
trouble  just  as  long  as  I  could. 

By  this  time  Tom  Thornton  had  probably  reached 
the  cottage  of  his  father,  and  had  learned  what  had 
happened.  My  uncle  had  told  him  that  I  had  ob 
tained  the  precious  will  —  that  the  charter  of  their 
villany  was  gone.  He  had  found  that  "that  boy" 
was  not  to  be  trifled  with.  "That  boy"  had  pos 
sessed  himself  of  the  fearful  secret  of  their  evil  prac 
tices,  had  probed  the  mystery  of  their  iniquity,  and 
was  ready  to  come  down  upon  them  like  an  avenging 
spirit,  to  expose  their  rascality,  and  to  publish  to  the 
world  the  story  of  their  infamy. 

How  mad,  vexed,  overwhelmed  Tom  was  I  could 
easily  imagine.  He  had  no  more  soul  than  a  brick 
bat,  and  without  a  doubt  had  heaped  abuse  upon  his 
father,  had  berated  him  for  not  burning  the  will,  and 
for  permitting  me,  by  his  weak  fears,  to  be  a  bomb 
shell  in  their  path  so  long.  Before  I  knew  who 
Tom  was,  I  had  heard  hard  words  pass  between 
them.  I  now  supposed  he  was  angry  because  my 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP   A    SMART    BoY.  161 

uncle  would  not  "dispose"  of  me  in  some  manner 
which  he  proposed. 

Tom  Thornton  and  his  father  had  discovered  that 
the  evil  man  shall  not  prosper  in  his  way ;  the  sword 
of  retribution  was  hanging  over  them,  and  their  cher 
ished  scheme  was  crumbling  to  pieces.  My  uncle 
was  in  despair,  as  he  had  been  when  I  left  him. 
Piteously  he  had  begged  of  me  to  be  merciful  to 
him ;  and  if  he  had  told  me  where  my  mother  was, 
and  promised  to  do  justice  to  her,  I  am  sure  I  could 
not  have  gone  another  step  to  expose  him.  But  my 
uncle  was  an  old  man  —  if  not  in  years,  at  least  in 
sorrow  and  suffering.  For  years  he  had  been  pur 
sued  by  the  terrors  of  a  guilty  conscience ;  had  been 
in  an  agony  of  doubt  and  fear,  if  not  of  remorse. 
He  was  broken  down,  had  lost  his  courage,  and 
there  was  nothing  to  fear  from  him. 

Tom  was  a  different  person.  He  was  bold  and 
flaring.  He  had  no  conscience,  and  apparently  no 
fears.  He  was  young  and  vigorous,  strong-minded 
&nd  reckless.  For  years  he  had  been  living  like  a 
nabob  upon  the  income  of  the  property  which  my 
father  had  left  for  me.  He  had  been  swimming  in 
11 


162  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 

luxury,  driving  his  span,  and  spending  half  his  time 
in  winning  the  favor  of  the  fair  widow  Loraine, 
whose  fortune,  if  not  Kate's,  he  intended  to  add  to 
his  own  ill-gotten  wealth.  Tom  Thornton  would  not 
resign  his  possession  of  the  property,  and  his  bright 
prospects  of  the  future,  without  a  terrible  struggle, 
and  I  was  quite  confident  that  I  should  have  to 
fight  a  grim  battle  with  him. 

What  would  he  do?  That  was  the  vital  question 
with  me.  As  the  prudent  general  endeavors  to  an 
ticipate  the  purposes  of  the  enemy,  I  tried  to  meas 
ure  the  probable  intentions  of  Tom  Thornton.  "What 
would  he  do?  Would  he  have  me  arrested  as  a 
criminal  for  robbing  my  uncle's  safe  ?  I  confess  that 
the  cold  sweat  stood  upon  my  brow  as  I  thought 
of  it ;  as  I  considered  what  an  awful  thing  it  would 
be  to  be  carried  back  to  Parkville  by  an  officer,  and 
sent  to  the  common  jail.  But,  perhaps,  if  this  were 
done,  it  would  be  the  best  thing  that  could  possibly 
happen  to  me. 

If  arrested  and  tried,  I  should  have  the  privilege 
of  the  meanest  criminal  to  defend  myself.  I  should 
call  on  Squire  Hale  to  produce  my  father's  will.  I 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  163 

should  lay  bare  in  a  court  of  justice  the  whole  of 
Tom's  and  his  father's  infamous  conduct.  But  Tom 
knew  that  I  had  taken  the  will;  that  I  had  deprived 
him  of  his  sheet  anchor.  With  only  half  an  eye  he 
could  see  what  the  consequence  of  arresting  me 
must  be.  My  uncle  would  groan  and  tremble  at 
the  very  idea  of  such  an  exposure.  After  these  re 
flections,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  I  should  not 
be  arrested  as  a  criminal.  Tom  Thornton  would 
fight  his  battle  with  other  weapons  than  those  of 
justice  and  the  law. 

Tom  had  shown  by  his  acts  that  he  did  not  scru 
ple  to  take  the  law  into  his  own  hands,  and  I  was 
convinced  that  my  future  trials  were  to  be  caused  by 
individual  persecution  rather  than  public  prosecution. 
Again  the  question  came  up,  What  will  he  do  ?  It 
was  certain  that  he  would  follow  me,  and  it  was 
almost  as  certain  that  he  would  find  me.  I  had 
hardly  a  doubt  that  he  would  take  the  night  train 
from  the  west,  and  be  in  Albany  the  next  morning. 
Such  a  person  as  Tom  Thornton  must  be  a  selfish 
man,  and  I  concluded  that  he  would  not  trouble 
himself  much  more  about  finding  Kate.  His  own 


164  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

trials  overshadowed  those  of  the  fair  widow  of  Can. 
nondale.  He  would  be  after  me  rather  than  Kate. 

While  I  was  anxiously  considering  the  case,  the 
landlady  called  me  to  supper.  She  poured  out  the 
tea,  and  asked  more  questions  than  I  cared  to  an 
swer;  but  so  far  as  I  said  anything,  I  told  the  truth. 
I  did  not  sleep  many  hours  that  night;  I  was  too 
much  disturbed  by  the  perils  of  my  situation  to  slum 
ber.  I  thought,  and  thought,  and  thought.  Tom 
Thornton  would  arrive  in  the  morning.  At  the  rail 
road  station  he  would  begin  his  inquiries  for  me. 
The  baggage-master,  who  had  directed  me  to  the 
boarding-house,  would  tell  him  just  where  I  was. 

I  had  almost  made  up  my  mind  to  leave  Kate  in 
Albany,  go  to  New  York  alonej  find  her  uncle,  and 
then  return  for  her;  but  the* thought  that  Tom 
would  arrive  in  the  morning  caused  me  to  abandon 
'this  plan.  I  rose  very  early,  and  walked  down  to 
the  river,  where  I  found  a  steamer  would  leave  for 
New  York  at  eight  o'clock.  I  went  back  to  the 
boarding-house,  and  after  breakfast  paid  the  bill.  We 
walked  down  to  the  river,  and  went  on  board  of 
the  steamer.  I  took  a  seat  where  I  could  see  every- 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  165 

body  that  came  on  board  of  the  boat,  for  I  felt  very 
certain  that  Tom  Thornton  was  already  in  the  city, 
and  searching  for  me.  I  was  not  wrong,  for  just 
as  the  boat  was  on  the  point  of  starting,  and  I  was 
congratulating  myself  on  the  fact  that  we  were  safe, 
I  saw  him  standing  on  the  wharf,  looking  at  me. 


166  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 


CHAPTER  XV. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    FACES    THE    ENEMY. 

I  HAD  discovered  what  Tom  Thornton  intended 
to  do,  in  part.  It  was  not  an  officer  who  came 
to  arrest  me ;  it  was  Tom  himself.  Though  I  had 
confidently  expected  him  —  as  we  always  dread  the 
worst  possible  thing  that  can  happen  to  us  —  I  had 
hoped  to  escape  him  when  the  bell  sounded  for  the 
departure  of  the  steamer.  I  felt  quite  sure  that  all 
was  well  with  me,  and  had  begun  to  congratulate 
myself  on  my  singular  good  fortune,  when  his  ugly 
face  appeared  on  the  wharf. 

I  do  not  think  now  that  I  made  any  mistake  in 
not  remaining  in  Albany,  for  it  was  the  easiest  thing 
in  the  world  for  him  to  trace  me  out,  and  find  the 
boarding-house  where  I  had  spent  the  night.  If  I 
had  left  the  cars  at  the  last  station  before  the  train 
reached  Albany,  I  might  have  avoided  him.  It  seemed 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMABT    BOY.  167 

to  me  that  my  only  way  was  to  continue  the  journey, 
and  I  did  so.  If  I  had  been  alone  it  would  have 
been  an  easy  matter  to  evade  him. 

Tom  Thornton  rushed  onboard  of  the  steamer  just 
in  season  to  secure  his  passage,  for  the  plank  was 
hauled  on  board  the  moment  he  had  crossed  it.  I 
was  on  the  hurricane  deck  when  I  saw  him,  and  he 
saw  me.  Perhaps  there  was  a  chance  for  me  yet  to 
outflank  him.  It  was  a  bad  scrape,  but  all  I  could 
do  was  to  make  the  best  of  it.  I  left  my  position 
when  I  saw  Tom  coming  on  board,  and  went  to  Kate, 
whom  I  had  requested  to  remain  in  the  saloon.  I 
sat  down  by  her  side,  and  tried  to  look  as  unmoved 
as  I  could. 

"Don't  be  frightened,  Kate,"  I  began. 

"  Frightened !  Of  course  I  am  not  frightened 
now,"  she  replied,  fixing  the  gaze  of  her  deep  eyes 
upon  me. 

"But  you  musn't  be  when  I  tell  you  something." 

"What,  Ernest  Thornton?"  demanded  she,  taking 
the  alarm  at  once. 

"  Tom  Thornton  is  on  board  of  this  steamer. 
Don't  be  alarmed;  I  will  take  care  of  you.  H« 


1GS  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

shall  not  harm  you,  and  he  shall  not  take  you 
away  from  me." 

"  0  mercy ! "  exclaimed  she,  turning  as  white  as  a 
jsheet. 

"D<jn't  be  disturbed,  Kate.  I  think  I  can  take 
care  of  him,"  I  added,  with  more  confidence  than  I 
felt. 

"What  shall  we  do?" 

"I  don't  know  yet,  but  I  will  see.  Leave  it  all 
to  me,  Kate.  If  he  speaks  to  you,  answer  him 
civilly." 

"  I  could  not  speak  to  him.  I  shall  faint  away  if 
he  comes  near  me.  O,  Ernest  Thornton,  I  am  fright 
ened  almost  to  death  !  " 

u  There  is  no  need  of  your  being  alarmed.  I  don't 
think  he  desires  to  see  you  half  so  much  as  he  does 
me.  I  will  put  you  in  a  safe  place  soon.  Come 
down  into  the  ladies'  cabin  for  the  present." 

She  followed  me,  trembling  in  every  fibre  of  her 
frame.  I  left  her  at  the  door,  bidding  her  keep  out 
of  sight  as  much  as  possible.  A  glance  along  the 
main  deck,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  captain's  office,  as 
sured  me  Tom  was  not  there  and  I  procured  a  state- 


THE   ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  169 

room  of  the  clerk.  Going  half  way  up  the  stairs  to 
the  saloon,  I  discovered  ray  pursuer.  He  was  evident 
ly  looking  for  me.  I  watched  him  till  he  had  made 
the  circuit  of  the  long  apartment,  carefully  avoiding 
him.  He  then  went  below,  to  look  for  me  in  other 
parts  of  the  boat.  He  walked  forward  first,  and  I 
took  this  opportunity  to  conduct  Kate  to  the  saloon 
again,  and  gave  her  the  state-room  I  had  procured, 
telling  her  to  lock  herself  in. 

"  Won't  he  find  me  here  ? "  asked  she,  with  quiver 
ing  lips. 

"  No  matter  if  he  does :  keep  your  door  locked.  I 
will  knock  four  times  by  two's.  Don't  open  the  door 
on  any  account  till  you  hear  my  rap." 

"I  will  not." 

"  I  will  keep  watch  on  the  outside.  Now  don't  be 
alarmed.  I  will  take  good  care  of  you." 

She  closed  the  door,  and  I  heard  her  lock  it.  1 
felt  then  that  she,  at  least,  was  out  of  Tom's  reach 
for  a  time,  and  that  I  was  in  condition  to  fight  the 
battle  alone.  Large  as  the  steamer  was,  it  was  im 
possible  for  me  to  avoid  a  meeting  with  him,  since 
he  knew  that  I  was  on  board.  If  he  had  not  seen 


170  SEEK    AND    FIND,   OK 

me  the  case  would  have  been  different,  aud  I  might 
have  contrived  to  keep  out  of  his  way. 

I  could  not  help  asking  myself  what  I  should  do. 
I  did  not  expect  Tom  would  resort  to  violence  in 
the  presence  of  hundreds  of  passengers.  lie  would 
fasten  himself  upon  me,  and  not  lose  sight  of  me. 
If  he  had  intended  to  arrest  me,  he  would  have  sei,t 
a  sheriff  after  *me,  instead  of  coining  himself.  What 
would  he  do  next?  This  was  the  important  ques 
tion.  Of  course  I  could  not  answer  it.  I  could  only 
wait  for  time  and  circumstances  to  develop  his  plan. 
As  it  was  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  avoid  him,  I 
sat  down  in  the  saloon,  resolved  to  let  things  take 
their  course. 

Summoning  to  my  aid  all  the  coolness,  self-posses 
sion,  and  impudence  I  could  command,  —  and  I  found 
that  for  an  emergency  in  which  I  had  right  and  jus 
tice  on  my  side,  I  had  an  abundant  supply  of  this 
kind  of  ammunition,  —  I  calmly  waited  the  appear 
ance  of  my  adversary.  I  deliberately  made  up  my 
mind  to  speak  up  like  a  man  to  him,  and  to  stand  my 
ground  like  a  hero.  If  he  made  a  scene,  I  would  de 
nounce  him,  and  punch  him  with  the  naked  truth. 


THE   ADVENTURES    OF   A   SMART   BOY.  171 

Tom  Thornton  appeared  to  be  making  a  very  dil 
igent  search  below,  for  it  was  half  an  hour  before  he 
came  up  to  the  saloon  again.  Most  of  the  passen 
gers  were  out  on  the  hurricane  deck,  or  in  other 
places  where  they  could  view  the  scenery  on  the 
shores  of  the  river.  I  had  plenty  of  time  to  get 
thoroughly  "  primed "  for  the  exciting  interview  I 
anticipated.  As  I  thought  the  matter  over,  I  felt 
that  I  had  the  weather-gage  of  him  —  that  all  the 
advantage  was  on  my  side.  The  will  was  in  my  pos 
session,  and  subject  to  my  order.  I  had  the  address 
of  my  uncle's  London  correspondent,  and  whatever 
Tom  might  threaten,  he  could  not  deprive  me  of 
these  favoring  points.  I  could  afford  to  be  cool  and 
impudent;  and  if  Tom  wanted  to  talk,  I  could  talk 
as  fast  and  as  much  to  the  point  as  he  could. 

At  last  I  saw  him  come  up  the  steps.  He  was 
certainly  a  splendid-looking-  fellow,  though  he  was 
evidently  a  man  of  the  world.  He  was  elegantly 
dressed,  not  over-dressed,  and  his  movements  were 
easy  and  graceful.  I  could  not  help  thinking  of  these 
things,  in  which  he  had  so  decided  an  advantage 
over  me.  But  he  lacked  one  thing,  without  which 


172  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OK 

everything  else  is  vain  and  valueless  —  moral  princi 
ple.     He  was  a  villain,  and  as  such  I  despised  him. 

I  could  not  help  noticing  that  the  expression  on  his 
face  was  troubled,  rather  than  malignant ;  indeed,  he 
really  seemed  to  be  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger. 
He  saw  me  when  he  first  glanced  around  the  saloon, 
and  walked  towards  the  sofa  on  which  I  was  seated. 
This  time  he  was  not  savage  and  violent,  as  he  had 
been  before  when  I  met  him.  He  had  something  to 
think  of  now,  and  perhaps  he  had  learned  that  "  that 
boy"  was  not  to  be  trifled  with. 

"  Good  morning,  Ernest,"  said  he ;  and  it  would 
have  been  difficult  to  discover  in  his  tones  that  he 
was  an  enemy. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Tom  Thornton,"  I  replied,  in 
cheerful  tones,  intending  to  intimate  to  him  that  I 
was  master  of  the  situation. 

"You  left  home  rather  suddenly,"  he  continued. 

"  Rather ;  and  I  presume  you  did  not  think  a 
great  while  about  it  before  you  started." 

"  Ernest,  I  think  we  had  better  come  to  an  under 
standing,"  he  added,  seating  himself  on  the  sofa  at 
my  side. 


THE   ADVENTTJRES    OP   A    SMART   EOT.  173 

"I  know  what  I  am  about,  and  I  suppose  you 
Know  what  you  are  about,"  I  answered,  with  easy 
assurance.  "  I  don't  know  that  we  can  coine  to  any 
better  understanding." 

"I  think  we  can,"  added  Tom,  very  mildly.  "I 
don't  believe  you  know  what  you  are  about." 

"Leave  that  to  me." 

"Ernest,  I  know  what  you  have  done  at  your 
uncle's  house,"  said  he,  in  a  whisper,  as  though  he 
had  possessed  himself  of  a  valuable  secret. 

"  So  do  I." 

"You  robbed  your  uncle's  safe,"  he  continued,  in 
the  same  confidential  tone. 

"  That  depends  on  whether  the  safe  was  his  or 
mine,"  I  answered,  readily. 

"Ernest,  it  is  no  use  for  you  to  play  bluff  with 
me.  You  know  what  you  have  done,"  he  added, 
rather  petulantly ;  and  I  saw  he  was  disappointed  be 
cause  he  had  failed  to  make  an  impression  upon  me. 

"No  one  knows  better  than  I  what  I  have  done." 

"You  have  taken  money  and  valuable  papers  out 
of  your  uncle's  safe." 

"I  know  it." 


174  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OB 

"You  opened  it  without  his  knowledge  or  con. 
sent." 

"  I  know  that  too." 

"And  then  you  ran  away  from  your  home." 

"That  also  I  know." 

"  I  was  sent  for  by  your  uncle  —  " 

"By  your  father,  you  mean,"  I  interposed. 

"I  said  by  your  uncle,"  added  he,  persistently. 
"I  found  him  quite  ill  —  made  so  by  your  bad  be 
havior." 

"  Not  much,"  I  replied,  when  Tom  looked  into  my 
face  to  notice  the  effect  of  this  revelation.  "  Didn't 
he  tell  you  he  had  not  slept  nights  for  years;  that 
he  had  steeped  his  soul  in  crime  for  your  sake,  Mr. 
Tom  Thornton?" 

He  started,  sprang  to  his  feet ;  but  recollecting 
himself,  he  sat  down  again,  and  tried  to  recover  his 
calmness. 

"  It's  no  use  for  you  to  tell  me,  Mr.  Tom  Thorn 
ton,  that  your  father  was  made  ill  by  my  bad  be 
havior.  It  was  your  bad  beharior  and  his  own  that 
trouble  him." 

"  Young   man,  you  talk  just    as  though  you  were 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  175 

entirely  innocent  yourself,"  added  Tom,  virtuously. 
"Do  you  really  think  you  are  free  from  guilt?" 

"  I  think  I  have  done  nothing  more  than  my  duty." 

"  Then  you  believe  it  is  all  right  to  break  into 
your  uncle's  safe,  and  take  his  money  and  his  pa 
pers?" 

"  Circumstances  alter  cases." 

"They  don't  make  black  white." 

"  Sometimes  a  man's  hypocrisy  whitewashes  his 
whole  life.  Sometimes  a  man  lives  for  years  on 
his  ill-gotten  gains,  and  all  the  world  thinks  he  is 
an  honest  man.  Then  circumstances  make  black 
white." 

"  You  are  talking  of  something  besides  the  subject 
before  us.  Let  us  come  back  to  it." 

"  No ;  I  am  talking  about  the  subject  before  us." 

"  You  confess  that  you  robbed  your  uncle's  safe." 

"  I  admit  that  I  helped  myself  to  certain  things  in 
it  which  I  wanted.  I  am  ready  to  admit  it  any 
where  you  choose  to  place  me,"  I  replied,  easily  and 
good-naturedly. 

"Are    you    aware    that    you    have    committed    a 


176  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

crime?"  said  he,  more  pointedly  than  he  had  before 
spoken. 

"I  don't  think  I  have  committed  any  crime,  or 
even  any  wrong.  If  you  think  so,  Mr.  Tom  Thorn 
ton,  you  are  welcome  to  your  opinion." 

"I  do  think  so,"  he  answered,  beginning  to  be  a 
little  excited.  "  Do  you  know  that  I  can  arrest  you, 
and  send  you  to  prison?" 

"  I  do  know  it ;  and  I  respectfully  ask,  Why  don't 
you  do  it  ?  " 

"  Why  don't  I  do  it  ? "  repeated  he,  apparently 
amazed  at  my  impudence,  and  disappointed  because 
an  arrest  and  a  prison  appeared  to  have  no  terrors 
to  me. 

"Yes,  why  don't  you  do  it?" 

"I'll  tell  you  why  I  don't  do  it.  Because  your 
uncle  is  weak,  and  don't  wish  to  injure  you.  That's 
the  reason." 

"  That  isn't  the  reason.  I  want  to  tell  you,  Mr. 
Tom  Thornton,  that  nothing  would  suit  me  better 
than  to  have  you  arrest  me,  and  send  me  to  prison." 

This  answer  vexed  him  so  much  that  he  jumped 
up,  and  walked  oft 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  177 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

MT  WHICH   ERNEST   MAKES   A  LANDING   ON   THE 
HUDSON. 

TOM  THORNTON  was  no  fool,  and  it  was  easy 
enough  for  him  to  see  that  I  understood  the 
situation.  It  was  useless  for  him  to  tell  me  that  any 
tenderness  on  the  part  of  my  uncle  saved  me  from 
arrest,  for  the  son  would  have  crushed  me  like  a 
worm  beneath  his  ieet  in  spite  of  the  father.  I  think 
he  got  up  and  left  me  because  he  could  not  control 
his  temper,  and  feared  a  scene.  He  cooled  off  in  a 
few  moments,  and  came  back,  as  I  knew  he  would. 

"You  defy  me  to  arrest  you  —  do  you,  Ernest?" 
said  he,  dropping  into  the  seat  at  my  side. 

"Yes;  if  you  wish  to  put  it  in  that  form,  I  def; 
you  to  arrest  me.  I  repeat  that  I  should  be  verj 
glad  to  have  you  do  it." 

"Why  so?"  asked  he,  nervously. 
12 


178  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

"  It  would  give  me  a  chance  to  defend  myself,  ancf 
that  is  just  what  I  want,  now  I  have  the  means  to 
do  so." 

"  You  have  some  queer  conceits,  young  man,T 
sneered  he.  "  What  have  you  done  with  that 
girl  ?  " 

"She  is  safe." 

"I  asked  you  what  you  had  done  with  her." 

"  And  I  didn't  answer  you." 

"  What  have  you  done  with  her  ?  " 

"  She  is  safe." 

"Running  away  with  her  is  another  criminal  of 
fence" 

"If  it  is,  I  shall  fight  that  battle  on  the  same 
ground  with  the  other.  If  you  choose  to  take  me 
back  to  Pavkville  on  any  charge,  of  course  you  can 
do  so.  If  you  do,  a  certain  document  will  be  brought 
to  light,  which  will  convince  Mrs.  Loraine  and  every 
body  else,  that  Mr.  Tom  Thornton,  with  his  gold 
watch  and  chain,  his  span  of  bays,  and  his  fine  clothes, 
isn't  worth  a  dollar  in  the  world." 

Tom's  lip  actually  quivered. 

"I   don't    want    to   injure    you,    Ernest,"   said  he. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  179 

"  Your  uncle  is  not  willing  that  you  should  be  brought 
to  justice." 

"I  have  no  desire  to  bring  him  to  justice,  either." 

"You  talk  like  a  fool,  like  a  small  boy,"  said  he, 
impatiently. 

"Then  don't  talk  with  me." 

"You  will  make  out  that  you  haven't  done  any 
thing  wrong  yourself,  but  your  friends  have  made  a 
martyr  of  you.  When  I  offer  to  get  you  out  of  the 
scrape  into  which  you  have  plunged,  you  speak  just 
as  though  you  were  the  injured  party." 

"Exactly  so,  and  I  speak  just  what  I  mean.  You 
talk  to  me  just  as  though  you  and  your  father  had 
not  suppressed  my  father's  will,  intending  to  rob  me 
of  nay  inheritance,  and  kept  my  mother  in  a  mad 
house  for  ten  or  a  dozen  years." 

"  What  sort  of  bosh  are  you  talking  now  ? "  de 
manded  Tom,  with  an  effort,  while  his  face  was  pale, 
and  his  frame  trembled. 

"I  can  prove  it  all.  If  you  and  your  father  wish 
to  tell  me  where  my  mother  is,  and  to  make  term? 
you  can  tell  me  what  you  will  do,"  I  added,  follov 
ing  up  my  advantage. 


180  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"You  have  taken  some  ridiculous  notion  into  your 
head,  and  I  really  don't  know  what  you  are  talking 
about." 

"Did  you  ever  read  my  father's  will?" 

"  Your  father's  will !  "  exclaimed  he.  "  I  never 
heard  that  he  made  a  will.  If  he  did,  it  was  the 
most  ridiculous  thing  he  ever  did  in  the  whole  course 
of  his  life,  for  he  hadn't  a  penny  to  leave." 

"Perhaps  you  can  tell  me  why  my  uncle  so  per 
sistently  refused  to  tell  me  anything  about  my  father 
or  my  mother  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  can  if  you  insist  upon  it ;  though, 
having  more  regard  for  you  than  you  have  for 
yourself,  I  should  prefer  to  follow  your  uncle's  ex 
ample,  and  not  say  anything  about  them." 

"  I  will  not  ask  you  to  spare  my  feelings,  Mr.  Tom 
Thornton.  Your  father  went  so  far,  when  I  insisted 
upon  it,  as  to  tell  me  that  my  mother  was  insane." 

"  She  is,  poor  woman,  and  I  don't  wonder  that  her 
reason  was  dethroned,"  replied  Tom,  whose  face 
brightened  up  wonderfully  as  he  spoke. 

"  He  refused  to  tell  me  anything  about  my  father." 

"  Which  was  very  kind  of  him.      Your  uncle  is   a 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   SMABT   BOY*  181 

strange  man ;  but  his  greatest  weakness  is  his  regard 
for  you.  It  is  best  you  should  know  nothing  of  your 
father ;  but  if  you  wish  to  know,  I'll  tell  you." 

"I  do  wish  to  know." 

"He  committed  a  forgery  in  London,  and  died  in 
Newgate  before  his  trial  took  place.  Your  poor 
mother  was  so  grieved  that  it  made  her  insane. 
Now  you  know  the  whole  truth,  and  you  can  un 
derstand  why  your  uncle  did  not  wish  to  talk  to  you 
about  your  father." 

I  confess  that  I  was  rather  startled  by  this  expla 
nation,  and  I  could  not  help  asking  myself  if  there 
was  any  truth  in  it.  It  certainly  accounted  for  my 
uncle's  unwillingness  to  tell  me  anything  about  my 
parents.  But  I  would  not  believe  it.  It  was  treach 
ery  to  my  father's  memory  to  do  so. 

"Did  he  make  his  will  in  Newgate?"  I  asked. 

"His  will!  What  will?  I  have  told  you  he  had 
not  a  penny  in  the  world.  Your  uncle  has  ever 
since  paid  your  mother's  board  in  the  insane 
asylum." 

"  That  is  very  kind  of  him.  Can  you  tell  me  where 
she  is?"  i 


182  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

"I  don't  know." 

"I  suppose  not;  and  probably  it  would  not  be 
convenient  for  you  to  tell  if  you  did." 

"I  would  tell  you  if  I  knew.  If  you  desire  it,  I 
will  persuade  your  uncle  to  tell  you.  You  keep 
talking  about  a  will.  What  do  you  mean  by  it?" 

"I  found  such  a  document  in  my  uncle's  strong 
box."  • 

"Where  is  it?" 

"It  is  safe." 

"  If  there  is  any  such  document  it  is  a  mere  fiction. 
I  don't  know  anything  about  it." 

"You  don't?" 

«  No." 

"All  right." 

"What  do  you  mean?" 

"  Nothing." 

"  Of  course  when  you  speak  of  a  will,  you  mean 
something  by  it,"  persisted  Tom. 

"  It's  no  use  to  talk." 

«  Why  not  ?  " 

"Because  the  truth  isn't  in  you." 

"I  speak  the  exact  truth." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  18!) 

«No  — you  don't." 

«  But  I  do." 

"You  know  all  about  the  will.  I  heard  my  uncle 
speak  to  you  about  it ;  and  I  heard  you  ask  if  it  waa 
not  destroyed.  You  asked  for  it,  and  wanted  to  burn 
it  then.  Don't  you  know  anything  about  it  now?" 

"  You  heard  all  this  ?  "  said  he,  biting  his  lips. 

"I  heard  it." 

"You  dreamed  it." 

"  No,  I  didn't  dream  it.  I  heard  a  great  deal  more 
than  this.  You  wanted  to  destroy  the  will ;  but  your 
father  said  he  dared  not  do  it." 

"  Pray,  where  were  you,  when  you  heard  all  this  ? " 

"  On  the  top  of  the  bay  window  of  the  library. 
The  upper  sash  was  pulled  down,  so  as  to  let  the 
air  in." 

"  Then  you  are  an  eaves-dropper  as  well  as  a 
thief." 

"  I  was  on  the  eaves  of  the  bay  window,  and  I 
dropped  down  about  the  time  you  went  up  stairs  to 
look  for  me.  Now  you  know  all  about  it  —  and  sa 
do  I.  You  may  tell  me  my  father  died  in  Newgate, 
and  that  you  never  heard  of  any  will.  I  shall  be. 


184  SEEK    A_N1>    FIND,    OB 

lieve  just  as  much  of  it  as  I  please,  and  no  more 
You  think  I'm  a  boy,  Mr.  Tom  Thornton ;  but  I've 
got  brains  enough  to  know  chalk  from  cheese." 

Tom  wiped  his  forehead.  He  did  not  like  my 
style ;  but  he  could  not  do  anything.  He  dared 
not  take  any  decided  step.  After  observing  the 
feebleness  of  his  position,  I  made  up  my  mind 
that  I  had  won  the  victory.  He  w^  afraid  to 
arrest  me,  and  I  felt  as  safe  as  though  I  had  been 
in  London  then.  But  there  was  >UQ  more  point  I 
wanted  to  impress  upon  him. 

"  I  have  no  doubt,  Ernest,  that  you  have  some  paper 
which  you  think  is  valuable ;  something  which  has 
the  form  of  a  will,"  said  Tom,  after  he  had  fidgeted 
about  in  his  seat  for  some  time. 

"It  has  that  form,"  I  replied. 

"  I  should  like  to  know  what  the  paper  is.  Where 
is  it?" 

"No  matter  where  it  is.  I  know  its  value,  and  I 
have  put  it  where,  the  moment  you  take  your  first 
step  against  me,  you  will  find  it  lying  like  a  big 
Miake  in  your  path." 

"Won't  you  let  me  see  it?" 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A   SMART   BOY.  185 

«  No." 

"I  only  want  to  know  what  it  is.  You  need  not 
let  it  go  out  of  your  own  hands." 

"I  won't  show  it." 

I  had  made  ray  point.  I  had  assured  him  the  will 
would  be  forthcoming  when  he  took  any  step  to  an 
noy  me.  Tom  tried  all  sorts  of  persuasion  to  induce 
me  to  exhibit  it ;  but  without  denying  that  I  had  it, 
I  declined  to  produce  it.  He  was  so  weak  that  I  be 
gan  to  despise  him.  At  last  he  got  mad,  and  threat 
ened  me  with  all  sorts  of  calamities.  I  told  him, 
when  he  became  abusive,  that  I  would  not  talk  any 
more  with  him,  and  abruptly  left  him. 

Most  of  all,  I  desired  to  shake  him  off  and  get  rid 
of  him.  While  he  was  watching  me,  I  could  not 
convey  Kate  to  her  uncle,  and  I  was  puzzled  to  know 
what  I  should  do.  When  the  steamer  arrived  at 
New  York,  Tom  would  keep  both  eyes  fixed  upon 
me,  and  I  should  have  no  chance  to  assist  my  fair 
companion.  I  walked  about  the  boat,  and  thought 
the  matter  over;  but  the  more  I  considered  it,  the 
more  unsatisfactory  it  seemed. 

About  one  o'clock  the  steamer  made  a  landing  at 


186  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

Poughkeepsie.  I  went  down  to  the  main  deck,  from 
which  the  gangway  planks  led  to  the  wharf.  I  found 
Tom  Thornton  there,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of 
assuring  himself  that  I  did  not  take  "  French  leave " 
of  him,  which  was  just  the  thing  I  intended  to  do, 
if  it  could  be  done  without  his  notice.  I  went  for 
ward,  but  found  that  the  stern  of  the  boat  was  swung 
in,  so  that  the  forward  gangway  was  twenty  feet 
from  the  pier. 

Returning  to  the  saloon  deck,  I  carefully  examined 
the  position  of  the  boat  in  regard  to  the  shore.  I 
went  out  upon  the  space  over  the  guards,  and  out 
side  of  the  state-rooms.  On  the  edge  of  the  wharf 
there  was  a  storehouse,  the  end  of  which  reached 
about  to  the  middle  of  the  steamer's  wheel.  The  top 
of  the  paddle-box  was  nearly  on  a  level  with  the 
flat  roof  of  this  building.  I  could  not  see  Tom 
Thornton,  but  I  concluded  that  he  was  still  watch 
ing  for  me  on  the  main  deck.  The  space  between 
the  top  of  the  paddle-box  and  the  roof  of  the  store 
house  was  not  more  than  three  or  four  feet,  and  I 
concluded  that  a  girl  as  resolute  as  Kate  Loraine 
would  leap  across  the  gulf  without  difficulty.  I  went 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  187 

to  her  state-room,  and  gave  the  four  raps.  She  was 
glad  enough  to  see  me,  and  taking  her  valise  I  told 
her  to  follow  me.  I  waited  till  I  heard  the  order 
given  to  haul  in  the  plank,  and  then  led  Kate  up 
the  rude  steps  on  the  curve  of  the  paddle-box,  heed- 
loss  of  the  sign  which  interdicted  passengers  from 
ascending. 

A  waiter  shouted  to  me ;  but,  fearful  that  I  should 
be  accused  of  trying  to  evade  the  payment  of  our 
fares,  I  threw  him  my  tickets,  and  told  him  I  must 
land  at  Poughkeepsie.  I  reached  the  top  of  the  pad 
dle-box  with  Kate,  and  jumped  over  on  the  roof  my 
self,  with  her  carpet-bag  in  my  hand. 

"  Now  jump,  Kate ! "  I  called,  as  I  heard  the  bell 
ring  to  start  the  wheels. 

"I  am  afraid,"  she  replied,  shuddering,  as  she 
looked  down  into  the  yawning  gulf  below. 

"  Jump  quick,  and  I  will  catch  you ! " 

"  I  cannot !  I  cannot  1 "  exclaimed  she,  in  an  agony 
of  terror. 

The  wheels  turned,  and  in  an  instant  the  space 
was  too  wide  for  her  to  come  on  the  roof,  or  for  me 
to  return  to  the  boat  The  people  discovered  us, 


188  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

and  began  to  shout.  I  saw  the  waiter  give  the  tick 
ets  to  a  man  ;  but,  at  the  same  instant,  Tom  Thorn 
ton,  perceiving  me  on  the  roof  of  the  storehouse, 
sprang  upon  the  rail,  and  leaped  ashore,  as  the  stern 
swung  in  and  grazed  the  pier.  The  steamer  went  on 
her  course ;  and  I  saw  the  man  to  whom  the  waiter 
had  given  the  tickets  assist  the  frightened  Kate 
down  from  the  paddle-box. 
I  was  on  shore,  but  so  was  Tom  Thornton. 


ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  189 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    OUTFLANKS    TOM    THORNTON. 

MY  flrst  impulse,  standing  on  the  roof  of  the 
sto^e,  as  the  steamer  bore  Kate  Loraine  away 
from  me,  was  to  denounce  the  timidity  of  girls  in 
general,  and  of  the  young  lady  in  my  charge  in 
particular.  I  ate  sorry  to  say  that,  as  a  rule,  I  did 
not  think  much  of  girls,  though  I  had  a  very  high 
opinion  of  and  regard  for  Kate ;  but  I  am  happy  to 
say  that  a  few  years  cured  the  general  dislike,  and 
increased  the  particular  preference. 

I  was  about  to  mutter  something  smart  and  saucy 
about  Kate ;  but  a  better  and  more  charitable  thought 
checked  the  speech,  and  I  felt  that  I  had  asked  too 
much  of  her  when  I  required  her  to  jump  four  feet, 
over  a  chasm  of  such  depth  as  that  which  gaped 
between  the  steamer  and  the  building.  I  suppose  I 
forgot,  in  my  enthusiasm  for  her  safety,  that  girls 


190  SEEK    AND   FIND,   OB 

are  not  used  to  climbing  trees,  and  promenading  on 
the  roofs  of  barns.  With  my  second  thought  I 
excused  her,  and  blamed  myself  for  expecting  her 
to  take  such  a  leap. 

There  I  was  on  the  roof  of  a  storehouse  in  Pough- 
keepsie,  while  the  steamer  was  hurrying  down  the 
river  at  the  rate  of  fourteen  miles  an  hour.  If  I 
had  separated  myself  from  my  fair  charge,  I  had 
also  separated  Tom  Thornton  from  her.  The  -enemy 
was  on  my  track,  not  hers,  thus  confirming  what  I 
had  told  Kate —  that  he  was  after  me  rather  than 
her.  Though  I  was  not  afraid  of  him,  I  wanted  to 
keep  out  of  his  way,  and  give  him  the  slip  if  I 
could. 

There  was  a  scuttle  in  the  roof,  upon  which  I 
stood.  I  raised  it  a  little,  to  obtain  a  view  of  the 
interior;  but  at  that  moment  I  heard  the  voice  of 
Tom  inquiring  the  way  to  the  roof.  While  I  had 
been  staring  at  the  retreating  steamer,  he  had  en 
tered  the  building  in  search  of  me.  I  closed  the 
scuttle,  and  retired  from  its  vicinity  to  the  end  of 
the  storehouse.  Adjoining  it  there  was  a  one-story 
building.  Throwing  the  carpet-bag  d^wn,  I  "hung 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  191 

off,"  and,  repeating  the  operation,  reached  the  ground 
before  Tom  had  made  his  way  to  the  roof.  Fortu 
nately  my  path  led  me  down  in  the  rear  of  the 
building,  and  out  of  the  way  of  the  people,  who  had 
been  observing  me  from  the  ground.  Behind  this 
building  I  conducted  my  retreat  in  as  good  order  as 
possible,  but  with  all  practicable  speed. 

The  road  which  led  down  to  the  steamboat  pier 
was  flanked  on  one  side  by  a  row  of  one-story  build 
ings,  used  as  stores.  I  had  jumped  on  one  of  these 
shops,  and  thence  to  a  narrow  space  on  the  verge 
of  the  wharf.  Before  any  one  could  go  round  the 
storehouse,  I  had  reached  the  street.  I  did  not 
dare  to  run,  lest  some  one  should  suspect  me  of 
being  a  fugitive.  The  street  was  crowded  with 
people,  who  had  just  landed  from  the  steamer,  and 
I  walked  as  fast  as  I  could  till  I  heard  the  scream 
ing  whistle  of  a  locomotive.  In  a  few  moments 
more  I  discovered  the  railroad  station,  and  being 
new  some  distance  from  the  steamboat  wharf,  I  ven 
tured  to  run.  I  reached  the  station  just  as  the  traiif 
was  starting. 


192  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OB 

"  "Where  Joes  this  train  go  ?  "  I  asked  of  a  brake- 
man  on  a  jar. 

"Down  river.  Be  in  a  hurry  if  you  are  going,' 
replied  the  man. 

1  was  going,  and  I  was  in  a  hurry.  I  entered 
the  car  and  dropped  into  a  seat,  exhausted  by  the 
hard  run  I  had  had.  I  caught  my  breath,  and  wiped 
the  perspiration  from  my  brow,  feeling  that  good 
fortune  had  favored  me  in  the  most  singular  manner. 
I  had  certainly  given  Tom  Thornton  the  slip,  and 
in  spite  of  my  habitual  modesty,  I  voted  unanimous 
ly  that  I  was  smart.  But  it  was  all  luck,  in  this 
instance,  which  favored  me;  for  I  heard  some  one 
say  that  the  train  was  thirty  minutes  late  that  day. 
It  was  due  in  Poughkeepsie  at  ten  minutes  before 
•ne,  and  left  half  an  hour  behind  its  time.  If  it 
had  been  in  season,  of  course  I  should  have  lost  it. 
I  was  very  thankful  for  the  accident  which,  the  con 
ductor  said,  had  delayed  the  train. 

From  the  car  window  I  had  frequent  views  of  the 
river;  and  in  a  short  time  I  saw  the  steamer  in 
which  I  had  come  down,  ploughing  her  way  down 


THE    ADVEXTITRES    OP   A    SMART   BOY.  193 

the  stream  to  her  destination.  I  could  almost  fancy 
I  saw  Kate  on  the  hurricane  deck.  The  poor  girl 
had  trouble  enough  now,  and  I  had  no  doubt  she 
was  bitterly  lamenting  the  misfortune  which  had  sep 
arated  us.  On  whirled  the  train,  and  I  soon  lost 
sight  of  the  boat;  but  I  hoped  to  be  able  to  get  on 
board  of  her  at  her  next  stopping-place,  if  I  could 
find  where  that  was.  I  inquired  of  a  gentleman  who 
sat  in  front  of  me  at  what  places  the  steamers 
stopped.  He  informed  me  that  some  of  them  stopped 
at  all  the  towns,  but  the  larger  of  them  at  only  the 
principal  ones.  I  mentioned  the  steamer  on  which 
I  had  been  a  passenger,  and  he  assured  me  she 
would  make  a  landing  at  Peekskill. 

In  about  an  hour  the  train  arrived  at  this  place, 
and  I  hastened  to  the  river ;  but  I  was  obliged  to 
wait  over  an  hour  before  the  steamer  appeared.  She 
came  up  to  the  pier,  and  I  went  on  board.  I  was 
immediately  recognized  by  a  dozen  persons  who  had 
seen  me  on  the  roof  of  the  storehouse.  They 
wanted  to  ask  me  some  questions ;  but  I  avoided 
them,  and  rushed  up  to  the  saloon.  I  inquired  of 
the  stewardess  for  Kate,  and  was  told  that  she  wa§ 
13 


194  SEEK   AND    FIXD,    OR 

in   her  state-room.      I  gave   the   four  raps,   and   sl»e 
opened  the  door. 

"Why,  Ernest  Thornton  1 "  exclaimed  she.    "  Where  • 
did  you  come  from  ? " 

"  From  up  the  river,"  I  replied. 

The  inquisitive  passengers  had  followed  me  to  the 
state-room,  and  I  was  obliged  to  go  in  and  shut  the 
door  in  order  to  avoid  them.  I  saw  by  the  looks 
of  Kate's  eyes  that  she  had  been  crying.  Our  sud 
den  and  unexpected  separation  had  been  even  a 
greater  trial  to  her  than  I  had  supposed,  and  he* 
smile  was  now  so  full  of  joy  that  I  never  felt  hap 
pier  before  in  my  life. 

"  I  was  sure  I  had  lost  you,  Ernest  Thornton- 
Why,  how  can  it  be  that  you  are  here,  when  you 
were  left  on  the  wharf  more  than  two  hours  ago  ? " 
said  she,  bewildered  by  my  presence,  for  our  reunion 
was  -quite  as  unexpected  as  the  separation  had  been. 

"It  is  very  easily  explained,"  Kate,  I  replied, 
with  abundant  good-nature.  "  I  hope  you  have  not 
been  crying." 

"But  I  have.  I  never  felt  so  bad  before  in  my 
life.  I  believed  I  had  lost  the  last  friend  I  had  in 


THE    ADVENTUKES    OP    A    SMART    BOY.  195 

the  world,  for  I  was  afraid  that  horrible  Torn  Thorn, 
ton  would  kill  you,  or  do  something  almost  as  bad. 
But  you  don't  explain  how  you  happen  to  be  here. 
Did  you  fly?" 

"  No ;  I  came  in  the  train,  which  happened  to  be 
half  an  hour  late  for  my  especial  accommodation ; " 
and  I  related  my  story  in  full. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  didn't  jump  when  you  told  me  to 
do  so,"  said  she,  when  I  had  finished.  "  I  ought  to 
ha*re  jumped,  even  if  I  had  been  sure  of  falling  into 
the  river." 

"  I  ought  not  to  have  asked  you  to  take  such  a 
leap,  Kate  ;  and  it  is  very  fortunate  that  you  had  not 
the  courage  to  do  it,  for  Tom  Thornton  would  have 
been  with  us.  It  couldn't  have  happened  any  better 
even  if  we  had  planned  it  ourselves.  Who  was  the 
man  that  helped  you  down  from  the  paddle-box? 
What  did  the  people  say  to  you?  Did  you  tell 
them  anything?" 

"I  did  tell  them,  Ernest  Thornton.  I  hope  I 
haven't  done  anything  wrong,"  she  replied,  a  sudden 
shade  of  anxiety  passing  over  her  features. 

"It  will  do  no  harm." 


196  SEEK    AXD    FIND,    OB 

"The  man  that  helped  me  down  was  the  s 
they  said.  Indeed,  he  was  very  kind  to  me,  and  so 
were  all  the  people.  Half  a  dozen  of  them  piomised 
to  take  care  of  me  when  I  reached  New  York,  and 
help  me  find  my  uncle.  They  wanted  to  know  who 
you  were,  and  why  the  gentleman  wanted  to  catch 
you." 

"What  did  you  tell  them?"  I  asked,  lather  fear 
ful  that  she  had  told  more  than  I  cared  to  have  the 
public  know  about  my  affairs. 

"  I  told  them  the  truth  ;  that  I  had  been  ill-used 
by  a  person,  and  that  you  were  taking  me  to  my 
uncle  in  New  York." 

"Did  you  tell  them  who  Tom  Thornton  was?" 

"I  only  said  he  had  been  sent  after  me.  The 
steward  thought  he  must  have  supposed  I  was  on 
the  building  when  he  jumped  ashore.  I  didn't  tell 
them  anything  about  your  troubles.  I  didn't  know 
that  you  would  wish  me  to  do  so." 

"  I  am  glad  you  did  not.  But,  Kate,  you  needn't 
stay  in  here  any  longer.  We  have  got  rid  of  Tom 
Thornton,  and  you  may  go  out  and  look  at  tho 
scenery,  if  you  wish.  Have  you  been  to  dinner  ? " 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  197 

"Yes,  the  steward  gave  me  some  dinner.  He  was 
rery  good  to  me,  and  I  want  to  thank  him  ever  so 
much  for  his  kindness." 

When  we  left  the  state-room,  we  were  surrounded 
by  the  curious  passengers,  and  I  was  obliged  to  tell 
them  the  adventures  I  had  gone  through  with.  I 
left  Kate  with  a  lady  and  gentleman  who  manifested 
an  interest  in  her,  and  went  down  to  my  dinner,  and 
when  I  paid  for  it  I  paid  for  Kate's  also.  When  I 
went  on  deck,  I  found  that  I  was  a  lion,  and  the 
passengers  insisted  upon  hearing  me  roar.  They 
asked  questions  with  Yankee  pertinacity,  and  I  final 
ly  told  a  select  party  of  them  that  I  had  taken 
Kate  out  of  her  step-mother's  house  by  the  way  of 
the  attic  window ,  but  I  was  careful  not  to  call  any 
names,  for  if  Mrs.  Loraine  behaved  herself,  I  did  not 
care  to  expose  her  to  the  public. 

"You  are  a  smart  ycung  man,"  said  an  elderly 
gentleman,  heartily.  "Does  your  father  live  in  this 
State?" 

"  I  have  no  father,  sir,"  I  replied ;  and  I  had 
dodged  a  dozen  similar  questions  before. 


198  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"No  father.  I  suppose  you  live  with  your  moth, 
er,"  lie  added,  with  the  evident  intention  of  drawing 
me  out. 

"  No,  sir.  My  mother  is  in  England,  where  I  hope 
soon  to  join  her." 

"  Ah,  in  England ! "  he  added,  with  increasing  in 
terest.  "  In  what  part  does  she  reside  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  yet  know." 

Perhaps  he  thought  it  was  very  odd  I  should  not 
know. 

"I  am  going  to  England  by  the  steamer  next 
Wednesday,"  continued  the  gentleman.  "  If  I  can 
serve  you  there,  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
do  so." 

"Thank  you,  sir;"  and  I  began  to  feel  a  deep  in 
terest  in  the  subject  myself. 

"  You  don't  know  in  what  part  of  England  your 
mother  resides,  then  ?  " 

"  I  do  not,  but  it  is  somewhere  near  London." 

It  was  my  turn  to  ask  questions  now ;  and  1 
was  glad  to  do  so,  in  order  to  save  myself  from 
being  "  pumped."  I  made  a  great  many  inquiries 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  199 

about  the  steamer,  the  expense,  bills  of  exchange, 
and  other  matters,  and  the  gentleman  gave  me  much 
valuable  information.  He  left  the  boat  at  Yonkers, 
but  told  me  he  should  be  in  New  York  on  Monday. 
He  gave  me  his  address  when  in  the  city,  and  I 
promised  to  call  upon  him  if  I  could. 


200  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

IN   WHICH    EKNEST    CALLS    ON    SEVERAL    LORAINES. 

IT  was  after  four  o'clock  on  Saturday  afternoon 
when  the  steamer  arrived  at  her  wharf  in  New 
York.  The  lady  and  gentleman  who  had  taken  so 
much  interest  in  Kate  wei-e  anxious  to  do  something 
to  assist  her.  They  were  not  what  is  called  "styl 
ish"  people,  and  they  did  not  put  on  any  airs.  The 
gentleman  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  in  the  western 
part  of  the  state,  and  his  wife  doubtless  superintend 
ed  the  making  of  the  butter  when  she  was  at  home. 
They  were  fifty  years  old,  with  only  one  child,  a 
grown-up  son ;  and  the  lady,  the  moment  she  heard 
that  Kate  had  been  ill-treated,  proposed  to  take  her 
home  and  "do"  for  her. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  Kate  mentioned 
this  offer  to  me,  and  declared  that  she  liked  the  lady 
and  gentleman  very  much  indeed.  She  did  not  yet 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  201 

know  whether  her  uncle  would  receive  her  into  his 
family.  If  he  was  unwilling  to  come  between  her 
and  her  step-mother,  Kate  was  determined  to  go 
home  with  the  farmer,  whose  name  was  Macombe. 
The  worthy  couple  really  hoped  that  her  uncle 
would  not  take  her.  I  found  they  were  going  to 
remain  in  New  York  for  a  week.  They  intended  to 
stay  at  a  small  hotel  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city, 
and  I  promptly  adopted  their  suggestion  to  go  with 
them. 

Annoying  to  me,  and  disagreeable  to  Kate,  as  was 
the  publicity  to  which  we  had  both  been  exposed  by 
the  events  of  the  day,  I  could  not  help  acknowledg 
ing  that  we  had  been  the  gainers  by  it.  The  inter 
est  excited  by  my  singular  conduct,  and  the  sympa 
thy  called  forth  by  her  helpless  condition  after  we 
were  separated,  made  many  friends  for  us.  I  had 
dreaded  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  going  to  a 
hotel  or  a  boarding-house  with  Kate,  to  be  stared  at, 
questioned,  and  suspected,  because  we  were  so  young ; 
but  now  the  difficulty  was  entirely  removed.  We 
could  go  to  a  public  house  in  the  train  of  Mr.  Ma- 
combe  and  his  lady,  and  would  appear  to  be  a  part 
of  his  family. 


202  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

Besides  this  manifest  advantage,  I  had  learned  all 
about  the  steamers  that  went  to  England,  and  had 
actually  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  gentleman  who 
was  going  to  London,  and  who  was  quite  willing  to 
be  my  friend.  If  Tom  Thornton  would  keep  out  of 
my  path  till  the  following  Wednesday,  I  should  em 
bark  in  the  steamer,  and  be  on  my  way  across  the 
ocean  to  find  my  mother. 

Half  a  dozen  people  offered  to  assist  Kate,  when 
the  boat  hauled  in  at  her  wharf,  and  the  steward 
was  all  kindness  and  attention.  We  took  a  car 
riage,  and  drove  to  the  hotel,  whose  name  I  have 
forgotten;  but  the  window  of  my  chamber  looked 
out  upon  the  Battery.  As  soon  as  we  were  comfort 
ably  installed  in  our  several  apartments,  I  went  to 
the  office  and  found  a  Directory.  It  contained  the 
names  of  four  men  whose  surname  was  Loraine.  1 
looked  a  few  years  later  and  there  was  not  a  sin 
gle  one.  Two  of  them  were  merchants,  one  was  a 
broker,  and  one  was  a  mason.  Nothing  was  to  be 
learned  from  their  occupation,  and  as  it  was  too  late 
to  find  the  owners  of  the  names  and  their  places  of 
business  that  day,  I  was  obliged  to  defer  the  search 
till  Monday. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  203 

I  had  left  my  uncle's  without  any  clothing  except 
that  which  I  wore ;  and  if  I  was  not  in  absolute  need 
yet  of  an  additional  wardrobe,  I  knew  enough  of  the 
world  to  believe  that  a  quantity  of  baggage  adds  to 
a  person's  respectability,  especially  at  the  hotels.  I 
walked  up  Broadway,  and  purchased  a  good-sized 
valise,  a  strong  and  serviceable  article,  which  would 
contain  all  I  should  need  in  my  travels.  At  a  clothing 
store  I  bought  a  good  every-day  suit,  for  that  I  wore 
was  a  very  nice  one  —  too  good  for  comfort  in  travel 
ling.  At  a  furnishing  store  I  procured  a  supply  of 
shirts,  collars,  and  handkerchiefs.  When  I  had  packed 
all  these  articles  in  my  valise,  I  felt  quite  respectable. 

As  I  was  walking  back  to  the  hotel,  I  saw  in  the 
window  of  a  shop  an  article  which  was  labelled 
"  money-belt."  It  was  a  kind  of  pocket-book,  made 
of  wash-leather,  attached  to  a  belt  to  be  worn  round 
the  body.  I  went  in  and  bought  one ;  and  it  seemed 
to  solve  the  problem  about  the  care  of  the  large  sum 
of  money  in  my  possession,  which  had  been  a  great 
trouble  to  me.  I  could  carry  my  funds  in  this  belt 
without  the  danger  of  being  robbed ;  and  as  soon  aa 
I  reached  my  room,  I  enclosed  in  a  piece  of  oiled 


204  SEEK    AXD    FIND,    OB 

silk  the  greater  part  of  the  bills  which  I  had  carried 
in  my  breast  pocket,  rolled  up  in  a  piece  of  newspa 
per,  put  them  in  the  money-belt,  and  strapped  it 
around  me.  It  did  not  feel  comfortable  at  first ;  but 
the  very  annoyance  it  caused  served  to  remind  me 
that  my  money  was  safe. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Macombe  were  very  good,  pious 
people,  and,  wherever  they  were,  would  as  soon  have 
thought  ot  going  without  their  food,  as  of  staying 
away  from  divine  service;  and  we  went  to  church 
with  them  three  times  on  Sunday.  They  would  not 
even  talk  about  worldly  affairs  on  that  day;  and 
Kate  and  I  were  probably  saved  from  answering  a 
great  many  questions  included  under  the  head  of 
forbidden  topics.  They  seemed  to  be  greatly  pleased 
to  know  that  I  regularly  attended  the  Sunday  school 
at  home.  So  pure,  and  true,  and  good  were  they, 
and  so  much  interested  in  me,  that  I  wanted  to  tell 
them  all  about  my  own  affairs,  and  to  ask  them 
whether  I  had  done  wrong  in  taking  the  will  and 
the  money  from  my  uncle's  safe;  but  I  concluded 
that  for  the  present  it  would  be  safer  for  me  to 
k^ep  my  own  counsels.  They  were  excellent  people, 


THE   ADVENTURES   OP   A    SMART   BOY.  205 

6ut  their  very  simplicity  of  character  might  lead 
them  to  betray  and  injure  me. 

On  Monday  forenoon,  leaving  Kate  with  Mrs.  Ma- 
coobe,  while  her  husband  was  attending  to  his  busi 
ness  affairs,  I  went  in  search  of  the  four  persons  by 
the  name  of  Loraine.  I  had  written  down  the  ad 
dress  of  each,  and  obtained  from  Kate  all  the  infor 
mation  she  possessed  in  regard  to  her  father.  I  de 
cided  to  try  one  of  the  merchants  first ;  and  as  Mrs. 
Loraine  doubtless  knew  the  name  of  her  deceased 
husband's  brother,  I  half  expected  to  meet  Tom 
Thornton  blockading  the  door  of  the  uncle's  count 
ing-room. 

When  I  saw,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street, 
the  sign  "  Mortimer  Loraine  &  Co.,"  I  made  sure 
that  Tom  Thornton  was  not  in  sight,  and  then  went 
in.  I  was  directed  to  the  private  office  of  the  senior 
partner.  He  was  a  cold,  stiff,  formal  man,  and  eyed 
me  from  head  to  foot  with  a  kind  of  contempt  which 
I  did  not  appreciate. 

"Your  business  with  me,  young  man?"  demanded 
he,  in  cast-iron  tones. 

According  to  Parkville  etiquette,  he  ought  to  have 


206  SEEK.   AND   FIND,   OB 

asked  me  to  sit  down,  and  I  was  waiting  for  him 
to  do  so. 

"  I  called  to  ask,  sir,  if  you  ever  had  a  brother  by 
the  name  of  Austin  Loraine,"  I  replied. 

"No,  sir,"  answered  he,  gruffly. 

"Excuse  me  for  troubling  you,  then,  sir,"  I  added, 
bowing  and  retreating. 

"  Who  was  Austin  Loraine  ? "  he  demanded. 

"  It's  of  no  consequence,  sir,  if  he  was  not  your 
brother,"  I  replied,  still  retreating. 

"  What  is  your  business  with  him  ?  "  he  added. 

What  my  business  was  did  not  concern  him,  and 
I  opened  the  door  and  retired.  Mr.  Mortimer 
Loraine  rose  from  his  stuffed  chair  and  followed  me, 
repeating  the  question  he  had  put  to  me.  I  simply 
told  him  I  wished  to  find  the  brother  of  Austin 
Loraine ;  and  in  my  heart  I  was  very  grateful  that  he 
was  not  the  person,  for  I  should  have  been  afraid  to 
leave  Kate  in  the  keeping  of  such  a  cast-iron  man 
as  he  was.  He  appeared  to  think  he  had  a  monopoly 
of  the  name  of  Loraine,  and  no  one  else  ought  to 
possess  it,  or  to  have  relations  with  it  which  he  was 
not  permitted  to  know.  Giving  no  further  heed  to 
him,  I  left  his  store. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  207 

My  next  attempt  was  with  the  broker,  "William, 
whose  office  was  in  Wall  Street.  He  was  quite  civil, 
and  assured  me  he  had  but  one  brother,  whose  name 
was  Mortimer,  and  whom  I  had  just  seen  on  Broad 
way.  He  was  just  as  curious  to  know  my  business 
with  any  one  of  his  name  as  the  first  had  been ;  but 
I  was  not  willing  to  give  him  any  satisfaction.  The 
next  Loraine  on  my  list  Avas  the  other  merchant, 
whose  place  of  business  was  in  Chambers  Street. 
"McKim  &  Loraine"  was  the  firm.  Impressed  with 
the  belief  that  the  junior  member  of  this  firm  would 
prove  to  be  the  person  I  sought,  I  was  very  careful 
to  satisfy  myself  that  Tom  Thornton  was  not  lying 
in  wait  for  me.  In  the  morning  I  had  put  on  the 
new  suit  of  clothes  purchased  on  Saturday  night.  I 
hoped  this  change  in  my  dress  would  enable  me  to 
pass  unnoticed  if  he  were  watching  for  me. 

As  I  did  not  see  him  anywhere  in  the  vicinity, — • 
though  I  knew  it  was  possible  for  him  to  be  con 
cealed  in  some  doorway,  or  observing  me  from  some 
chamber  window,  —  I  entered  the  store  of  McKim  & 
Loraine.  As  I  went  in,  I  saw  on  a  corner  sign  the 
full  names  of  the  partners,  the  last  of  which  was 


208  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

w  Freeman  Loraine."  I  was  directed  to  the  count 
ing-room  by  a  porter. 

"Is  Mr.  Loraine  in?"  I  asked  of  a  clerk  at  the 
desk. 

"He  is  not — gone  to  Baltimore,"  replied  the  man, 
hardly  looking  up  from  his  ledger. 

"  When  will  he  return  ? "  I  inquired,  greatly  disap 
pointed. 

"Don't  know;  Mr.  McKim  is  in  his  office;  he  can 
tell  you." 

I  entered  a  small  apartment  in  the  corner,  and 
asked  for  the  senior  partner.  An  elderly  gentleman, 
busy  with  heaps  of  letters,  informed  me  that  he  was 
the  person. 

"  I  wish  to  see  Mr.  Loraine  very  much,"  I  con 
tinued. 

"He  has  been  in  Baltimore  for  a  week;  we  ex 
pect  he  will  return  to-day  or  to-morrow  —  probably 
to-night,"  answered  Mr.  McKim,  fixing  his  eyes  upon 
the  open  letter  before  him. 

"  Have  you  been  acquainted  with  Mr.  Loraine 
long?"  I  ventured  to  ask. 

"Thirty  years,"  replied  he,  glancing  at  me  with  a 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  209 

smile,  as  though  the  acquaintance  was  a  pleasant 
thing  to  contemplate.  "  He  has  been  my  partner 
for  twenty." 

"  Can  you  tell  me,  sir,  whether  he  ever  had  a 
brother  by  the  name  of  Austin  Loraine,"  I  added, 
emboldened  by  his  smile. 

"  He  had ;  I  knew  Austin  very  well.  He  died 
some  eight  or  ten  years  ago,"  said  Mr.  McKim,  now 
so  much  interested  in  my  questions  that  he  threw 
down  the  letter,  and  gave  his  attention  wholly  to 
me. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  learn  this,  and  I  am  sorry  Mr. 
Loraine  is  not  at  home." 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you,  he  asked  ? " 

"No,  sir;  thank  you;  I  think  not.  Mr.  Loraine's 
niece  is  in  the  city,  and  wishes  to  see  him  very 
much,"  I  added. 

"Why  don't  she  go  to  his  house?  His  family 
are  at  home." 

"Kate  is  with  some  friends,  and  I  think  she  would 
rather  wait  till  her  uncle  returns,  as  he  is  coming  so 
soon.  I  will  call  again  to-morrow." 

"Mr.  Loraine  lives  in  Madison  Place;"  and  he 
14 


210  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

gave  me  the  number,  which  I  wrote  down  on  a 
paper,  and  told  Mr.  McKim  where  Kate  was  stay 
ing. 

When  I  went  out  of  the  store  I  looked  again  foi 
Tom  Thornton.  He  must  have  come  to  the  city  by 
this  time,  and  I  was  rather  surprised  to  find  he  was 
not  already  on  my  track.  I  did  not  see  him,  but  I 
afterwards  found  out,  to  my  sorrow,  that  his  eye 
was  upon  me  from  the  moment  I  went  into  the 
store  of  McKim  &  Loraine.  I  hastened  back  to  the 
hotel,  and  informed  Kate  that  I  had  found  her  uncle, 
but  he  was  not  at  home.  She  was  so  well  cared 
for  by  Mrs.  Macombe  that  she  was  in  no  haste  tc 
leave  her. 

After  dinner  we  all  took  a  walk  on  the  Battery 
and  up  Broadway,  to  see  the  sights.  When  we 
returned,  at  five  o'clock,  we  found  a  carriage  waiting 
to  convey  Kate  and  me  to  Mr.  Loraine's  house  in 
Madison  Place. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  211 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    STARTS    FOR   MADISON   PLACE 
WITH   KATE. 

I  COULD  not  exactly  understand  how  Mr.  Lo- 
raine,  being  in  Baltimore,  or  on  the  way  to  New 
York,  had  sent  a  carriage  for  his  niece.  It  was  pos 
sible  that  Kate's  uncle  had  returned  sooner  than  he 
had  been  expected,  or  that  Mr.  McKim  had  seen  his 
partner's  family,  and  they  had  sent  for  Kate.  It  did 
not  occur  to  me  that  there  was  anything  wrong ; 
but  I  desired  to  see  Mr.  Loraine,  and  tell  him  her 
story  before  his  niece  went  to  his  house. 

"  Who  sent  you  for  Miss  Loraine  ?  "  I  asked  of  the 
hackman. 

"  How  should  I  know  who  sint  me  ? "  replied  the 
driver,  an  ill-favored  Irishman,  and  a  rough  specimen 
even  of  New  York  hackmen,  who  are  not  reputed 
to  be  saints.  "  A  gintleman  gave  me  this  paper,  and 
told  me  to  come  here." 


212  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

I  took  the  paper,  and  read  what  was  written  upon 

it :  "  Call  at  the  Hotel  for  Miss  Kate  Loraine, 

and  drive  her  to  No.  —  Madison  Place.  Bring  the 
young  man  who  is  with  her  also." 

"  Who  gave  you  this  ?  "  I  asked. 

"I  don't  know  who  he  was.  It  was  a  gintlemaij 
that  came  over  to  the  hack-stand  by  the  Park." 

"  Was  he  an  old  man,  or  a  young  man  ?  " 

"  Middling  ould  —  not  very  ould,  either ;  he  wasn't 
what  you'd  call  a  young  man,"  replied  the  driver. 

"Was  he  fifty?" 

"  He  might  be ;  and  then  again  he  might  not  be," 
answered  the  man. 

This  was  very  definite  and  it  was  plain  to  me 
that  I  could  not  find  out  from  such  a  stupid  fellow 
whether  or  not  it  was  Mr.  McKini  who  had  sent 
him.  I  decided  that  Kate  should  not  go  to  Madison 
Place  that  day.  It  would  be  much  better  for  me  to 
see  her  uncle  first,  for  such  a  course  would  save  her 
from  an  unpleasant  scene,  if  he  decided  not  to  re 
ceive  her.  I  told  the  hackman  we  should  not  go ; 
and  the  feilow  growled  about  his  fare,  but  finally 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  21& 

drove  off,  declaring  that  the  people  in  Madison  Place 
should  pay  him  for  his  trouble. 

I  was  annoyed  by  the  incident,  and  was  afraid  it 
would  prejudice  Kate's  uncle  —  if  he  had  returned  — 
against  her,  or  if  he  had  not,  that  his  wife  would  be 
vexed.  Before  the  hack  was  out  of  sight,  I  was 
sorry  I  had  not  permitted  Kate  to  go.  I  talked  the 
matter  over  with  her,  and  with  her  kind  friends,  who 
thought  I  had  been  over-nice  about  the  matter. 

About  seven  o'clock,  the  same  hackman  came 
again.  I  was  sent  for,  and  met  him  in  the  of 
fice.  He  was  as  surly  and  cross  as  before,  though 
his  face  wore  something  like  an  expression  of  tri* 
umph  this  time. 

"  It's  a  dale  of  throuble  you're  makin  for  your 
friends,"  said  he,  handing  me  a  note. 

"  You  shall  be  paid  for  all  the  trouble  I  give  you," 
I  replied,  offended  at  the  fellow's  impudence. 

I  glanced  at  the  note,  and  found  it  was  directed 
to  Kate.  I  carried  it  up  to  her,  and  after  she  had 
read  it,  she  handed  it  to  me. 

"  My  uncle  has  returned,"  said  she.  "  He  seems  to 
be  real  good  and  kind  —  don't  he  ?  " 


214  SEEK    AXD    FIND,    OE 

I  read  the  note,  which  was  as  follows :  — 

"  MY  DEAR  NIECE  :  I  learned  from  Mr.  McKim, 
since  I  returned  from  Baltimore  this  afternoon,  that 
you  were  in  the  city.  I  should  call  upon  you  my 
self,  but  I  am  quite  ill,  and  do  not  feel  able  to  do 
so.  I  desire  to  see  you  very  much,  and  the  bearer 
of  this  note  will  drive  you  to  my  house.  I  think 
Mr.  McKim  spoke  of  a  young  man  with  you,  who 
called  upon  him.  Let  him  come  with  you,  if  you 
please.  FREEMAN  LORAINE." 

» 

"Your  uncle  is  good  and  kind,  and  I  am  sorry  I 
gave  him  the  trouble  to  send  twice,"  I  added,  when 
I  had  finished  reading  the  note.  "  We  will  go  with 
the  hackman  as  soon  as  you  are  ready." 

"How  far  is  it?"  asked  Mrs.  Macombe. 

"  Mr.  Loraine  lives  in  Madison  Place ;  but  I  haven't 
the  least  idea  where  that  is,"  I  replied. 

"  Shall  we  see  you  again  ? "  asked  our  kind  friend. 

"  Why,  yes,  I  hope  so.  I  will  come  down  and  see 
you.  But  I  don't  know  yet  whether  I  am  to  stay 
with  my  uncle  or  not,"  said  Kate,  as  she  put  on  her 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  215 

ghawl  and  bonnet.  "  I  must  see  you  again,  and  I 
shall  tell  my  uncle  all  about  you." 

"  I  shall  depend  upon  seeing  you  again,  and  I  hope 
you  will  find  a  good  and  pleasant  home,"  added  the 
worthy  old  lady. 

I  escorted  Kate  down  to  the  street,  and  handed 
her  into  the  carriage.  The  driver  closed  the  door 
when  I  had  taken  my  seat,  mounted  his  box,  and 
drove  off. 

"  I  am  quite  sure,  Kate,  that  you  will  remain  with 
your  uncle,"  said  I,  as  the  hack  rattled  up  Broadway. 

"  You  can't  be  sure,"  replied  she,  somewhat  excited 
by  the  prospect  that  was  opening  before  her. 

"  Not  exactly  sure ;  but  the  interest  he  manifests 
in  you,  and  the  trouble  he  takes  to  have  you  come 
to  his  house,  convince  me  that  he  is -a  man  worthy 
to  be  your  father's  brother." 

"  Perhaps  he  will  scold  me  for  running  away  from 
Mrs.  Loraine,"  suggested  she,  timidly. 

"I  think  not.  He  will  not  be  willing  that  you 
should  be  shut  up  for  a  whole  week  for  taking  long 
stitches,  or  for  treading  on  a  flower.  There  may  be 
some  difficulty  in  the  way,  as  your  step-mother  ia 


216  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

legally  your  guardian ;  but  your  uncle  will  find  a 
way  to  release  you  from  such  odious  bondage.  But 
we  won't  anticipate  anything.  If  your  uncle  won't 
take  care  of  you,  I  will,  for  I  like  you,  Kate,  and  I 
mean  to  stand  by  you  just  as  long  as  you  need  any 
help.  Mrs.  Macombe  will  be  very  glad  to  take  you 
home  with  her." 

"  I  seem  to  have  plenty  of  friends  now.  But,  how 
ever  many  friends  I  may  have,  Ernest  Thornton,  I 
shall  always  be  grateful  to  you  for  what  you  have 
done  for  me.  I  shall  always  consider  you  my  first 
and  best  friend  on  earth.  But  you  are  going  off, 
over  the  ocean ;  and  I  shall  not  see  you  again." 

"I  shall  return  soon." 

"When  shall  you  go?" 

"I  shall  not  go  till  I  am  sure  you  are  safe  and 
well  provided  for.  If,  as  I  expect,  your  uncle  takes 
you  to  his  home,  I  shall  start  day  after  to-morrow." 

"So  soon?" 

"Yes;  I  cannot  needlessly  waste  a  single  day. 
My  poor  mother,  for  aught  I  know,  is  still  in  sor 
row  and  suffering." 

"  How  glad  she  will  be  to  see  you,  if  you  find  her  I " 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  21T 

"I  shall  find  her;  I  shall  not  give  up  the  search 
nntil  I  do  find  her,  if  it  takes  me  all  the  rest  of  my 
lifetime.  But  I  expect  to  be  successful  without  much 
trouble." 

We  were  silent  then  for  half  an  hour,  I  judged,  in 
which  I  was  thinking  of  the  great  mission  that  was 
before  me ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  Kate  was  antici 
pating  the  scene  that  awaited  her  at  the  house  of 
her  uncle.  The  carriage  still  rattled  along,  and  it 
was  beginning  to  be  dark,  for  we  had  been  riding 
nearly  an  hour.  I  thought  it  was  about  time  for  us 
to  reach  Madison  Place.  We  must  have  gone  at 
/east  six  miles,  and  I  came  deliberately  to  the  con 
clusion  that  New  York  was  a  bigger  city  than  I  had 
ever  supposed. 

"  Haven't  you  got  almost  to  Madison  Place  ? "  1 
shouted  to  the  driver,  when  my  patience  began  iff 
be  sorely  tried. 

"It's  a  good  piece  yet,"  replied  the  driver,  in  th« 
same  surly  tones. 

"  I  think  we  must  be  almost  up  to  Albany,"  [  sai<7 
to  Kate,  as  I  glanced  out  at  the  window. 

"  Not  quite  so  far  as  that,"  laughed  Kate. 


218  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"  This  don't  look  like  a  very  aristocratic  part  of 
the  city,"  I  added.  "The  houses  are  all  of  wood, 
and  poor  ones  at  that." 

"  You  must  be  patient,  Ernest  Thornton.  We  must 
soon  reach  my  uncle's  house." 

"  Your  uncle's,  or  Albany,  I  should  sny." 

We  were  silent  again.  It  did  not  seem  to  me 
possible  that  Madison  Place  could  be  so  far  off. 
While  I  was  fretting  about  the  distance,  I  heard  a 
whistle  like  that  with  which  one  calls  his  dog, 
three  times  repeated.  I  should  not  have  noticed 
it,  if  the  carnage  had  not  stopped  in  the  middle 
of  the  street  immediately  after  I  heard  it.  The 
halt  was  but  for  an  instant  —  long  enough  to  per 
mit  a  man  to  get  on  the  box  with  the  driver." 

"How  much  farther  is  it  to  Madison  Place?"  I 
demanded  again. 

"  Only  a  little  piece,"  answered  the  surly  driver ; 
but  he  seemed  to  be  more  pliable  now. 

I  looked  out  at  the  window  again.  The  houses 
^ere  meaner  and  more  scattered  than  before,  and 
there  were  no  signs  of  a  mansion  fit  for  the  resi 
dence  of  a  wealthy  merchant.  I  began  to  wonder 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMART    BOY. 

who  the  man  was  on  the  box  with  the  driver,  and 
why  he  had  whistled.  I  changed  ray  position  to  the 
front  seat,  under  the  window,  which  I  had  opened 
to  enable  me  to  speak  to  the  driver. 

I  began  to  have  a  suspicion  that  something  was 
wrong,  and  I  determined  to  investigate  as  far  as  it 
was  possible  to  do  so.  I  waited  to  hear  if  anything 
was  said  by  the  two  men  on  the  box.  I  listened 
eagerly  and  painfully,  for  my  suspicions  almost  made 
me  mad.  I  reviewed  the  circumstances  under  which 
we  had  left  the  hotel.  The  letter  was  signed  by  Mr. 
Loraine,  and  the  driver  told  me  he  had  brought  it 
from  Madison  Place. 

My  heart  rose  up  into  my  throat,  as  the  conviction 
flashed  upon  my  mind  that  Kate  and  I  were  the 
victims  of  some  villanous  scheme.  The  rascally  driver 
could  not  have  gone  to  Madison  Place  in  the  time 
that  intervened  between  his  two  calls  at  the  hotel, 
if  Madison  Place  was  farther  off  than  we  had  yet 
gone.  I  was  so  nervous  and  restless  that  Kate  fath 
omed  my  painful  anxiety.  She  could  not  help  believ 
ing  by  this  time  that  something  was  wrong. 

0  O,  Ernest  Thornton ! "  exclaimed  she,  when  it  was 
no  longer  possible  for  her  to  keep  still. 


220  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  Kate,"  I  replied ;  but  I  was 
fearfully  alarmed  myself! 

"  Where  are  we  going  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know ;  but  it  is  plain  enough  now  that 
we  have  been  deceived." 

"Tom  Thornton  has  done  this!"  gasped  she. 

"  I  ouppose  so ;  but  be  calm,  Kate.  Heaven  will 
protect  us." 

"  I  am  frightened  almost  to  death,"  said  she,  with 
chattering  teeth.  "What  shall  we  do?" 

"  I  don't  know  yet.  Keep  as  cool  as  you  can,  and 
leave  it  all  to  me.  They  can't  go  a  great  ways 
farther  with  this  team.  We  must  stop  soon." 

I  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  opinion  that  it 
was  time  something  was  done.  Of  course  the  wretch 
es  on  the  box  had  made  their  plans  beforehand,  and 
everything  seemed  to  be  working  well  for  them. 
Doubtless  they  would  have  the  means  of  securely 
disposing  of  their  victims  when  they  reached  their 
destination.  It  seemed  to  me  to  be  necessary,  there 
fore,  to  derange  their  plans,  if  possible,  and  I  waited 
for  a  favorable  time  to  make  a  demonstration. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMART    BOY.  221 


CHAPTER  XX. 

IN   WHICH  ERNEST    STRIKES    A   HEAVY   BLOW,  AND    TOM 
THORNTON    HAS    A   BAD   FALL. 

THE  chances  for  making  a  demonstration  were 
not  favorable ;  but  the  more  desperate  the  cir 
cumstances,  the  greater  was  the  need  of  doing  some- 
thing  before  we  were  committed  to  any  place  more 
secure  than  a  carriage.  If  I  had  been  alone  I  should 
have  opened  the  door  and  jumped  out;  but  Kate 
could  not  do  this.  While  I  was  considering  what 
I  could  do,  I  heard  the  driver  speak.  I  raised  my 
self  up  to  the  window,  and  listened  for  the  reply  of 
the  other  man.  , 

Though  I  could  not  tell  what  was  said,  I  recog 
nized  the  voice  of  Tom  Thornton.  I  had  come  to 
the  conclusion,  as  soon  as  my  suspicions  were  aroused, 
that  it  was  he ;  for  it  was  not  likely  that  he  would 
trust  the  execution  of  his  scheme  wholly  to  others. 


222 


SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 


I  confess  that  the  sense  of  being  injured  was  not  the 
only  emotion  that  disturbed  me.  I  was  filled  with 
anger  and  indignation  at  the  trick  which  had  been 
put  upon  me.  I  wanted  a  weapon  like  my  trusty 
base-ball  bat,  and  I  felt  that,  if  I  had  it,  I  should 
do  good  service  with  it. 

The  thought  of  the  bat  suggested  an  idea.  In 
going  up  to  Chambers  Street  in  the  forenoon,  I  had 
seen  a  hackman  oiling  his  wheels  at  the  stand  by 
the  Park.  When  he  finished,  he  put  the  iron 
wrench  he  had  used  under  one  of  the  seats  in  the 
carnage.  I  felt  for  one  in  this  vehicle,  and  realized 
a  savage  gratification  when  I  placed  my  hand  upon 
the  article.  The  implement  was  about  a  foot  and  a 
half  in  length,  but  not  very  heavy.  Having  decided 
upon  the  plan  of  the  intended  assault,  I  buttoned 
my  gack  coat,  and  thrust  the  wrench  into  the  open 
space  between  two  of  the  buttons. 

Half  paralyzed  with  terror,  Kate  asked  me  what 
I  was  going  to  do.  I  told  her  in  a  whisper  to 
keep  still.  In  a  fair,  stand-up  fight  with  two  men, 
I  should  be  instantly  vanquished,  and  it  was  neces 
sary  for  me  to  obtain  the  advantage  of  a  surprise, 


THE   ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  223 

if  possible.  The  rear  window  of  the  carriage  was 
open.  Though  the  aperture  was  small,  it  was  large 
enough  for  me  to  crawl  through,  and  I  worked  my 
self  out  upon  the  baggage-rack.  The  jar  which  I 
communicated  to  the  vehicle  by  this  movement  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  the  men  on  the  box. 

"Be  aisy  for  a  minute  more,  and  you'll  be  at 
Madison  Place,"  said  the  driver. 

"How  much  farther  is  it?"  I  asked,  thrusting  my 
head  into  the  window,  so  that  he  would  not  suspect 
that  I  had  got  out  of  the  carriage. 

"Only  a  short  piece  farther,"  he  added. 

Placing  one  foot  on  a  ledge  at  the  side  of  the 
hack,  and  the  other  on  the  bottom  of  the  back 
window,  I  scrambled  to  the  top  of  the  carriage, 
where  I  was  obliged  to  spread  out  like  a  frog,  and 
was  in  imminent  danger  of  sliding  off.  Of  course 
this  feat  of  gymnastics  could  not  be  effected  without 
considerable  noise.  It  was  evident  to  the  driver  that 
something  decided  had  taken  place,  or  was  about  to 
take  place,  and  he  began  to  rein  in  his  horses. 

Just  as  I  reached  my  perch  on  the  top  of  the 
hack,  all  sprawling,  the  vehicle  was  approaching  one 


2*24  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

of  those  small  public  houses  at  the  corner  of  a  cross 
street,  which  abound  in  the  upper  part  of  New  York 
and  Harlem.  In  front  of  it  burned  a  street  lamp. 
Tom  Thornton  —  and  I  could  distinctly  make  him 
out  now,  though  I  did  not  see  his  face  —  had  bent 
his  head  down  to  look  in  at  the  front  window.  He 
doubtless  expected  to  find  the  cause  of  the  noise  and 
the  jar  within  the  hack ;  at  least,  thinking  I  was 
there,  it  was  natural  for  him  to  look  inside  for  it. 
I  suppose  he  thought  I  was  breaking  out  through 
the  top  of  the  vehicle. 

With  the  wrench  in  my  hand,  I  sprang  forward ; 
but  my  blood  was  almost  frozen  at  the  necessity  of 
striking  him  a  blow  on  the  head  which  might  kill 
him,  and  the  thought  that  I  might  take  his  life  par 
tially  paralyzed  my  arm.  I  struck,  but  it  was  a 
feeble  stroke  compared  with  what  it  should  have 
been  to  effect  my  purpose.  His  hat  appeared  to 
break  the  force  of  the  blow,  and  he  sprang  to  his 
feet.  Then  I  saw  that  he  had  a  heavy  cane  in  his 
hand,  and  I  was  sorry  I  had  not  struck  harder. 

"Drive  on!  Don't  stop  here!"  said  he  to  the 
driver,  fearful,  perhaps,  that  I  might  obtain  assist 
ance  from  the  hotel. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART   BOY.  225 

With  his  cane  in  one  hancl,  he  reached  forward 
with  the  other  to  grasp  me  hy  the  collar;  or  this 
was  what  I  supposed  he  intended  to  do.  He  did 
not  see  that  I  had  a  weapon,  and  getting  up  on  my 
knees,  I  hit  him  again,  this  time  with  better  effect, 
for  he  fell  over  backward  upon  the  horses.  The 
driver  hauled  in  his  team  again,  and  seemed  to  be 
appalled  at  the  fate  of  his  companion. 

The  instant  he  stopped  I  slid  off  the  top  of  ttie 
hack  to  one  of  the  hind  wheels,  and  thence  to  the 
ground.  I  opened  the  door  of  the  carriage,  and  told 
Kate  to  get  out  with  all  possible  haste.  I  assisted 
her  to  the  ground,  and  taking  her  by  the  hand, 
actually  dragged  her  after  me.  The  gloom  of  the 
night  covered  us,  and  we  fled  as  fast  as  my  com 
panion's  trembling  limbs  would  permit.  I  turned 
into  a  cross  street,  on  which  there  were  no  build 
ings,  and  followed  it  till  we  came  to  another  avenue. 

I  expected  to  be  pursued ;  whether  we  were  or 
not,  I  do  not  know,  for  we  were  not  molested,  and 
I  neither  saw  nor  heard  anything  which  indicated  a 
search.  Whether  the  hackman,  knowing  that  he 
waa  engaged  in  doubtful  business,  did  not  call  for 


226  SEEK   AXD   FIXD,   OR 

assistance,  or  whether  the  pursuit  was  delayed  till  it 
was  too  late  to  catch  us,  I  have  no  information.  We 
walked  down  the  avenue  as  rapidly  as  possible,  till 
I  was  satisfied  we  should  not  be  overtaken. 

"  O,  Ernest  Thornton,"  gasped  Kate,  out  of  breath 
with  fatigue  and  terror,  after  we  had  walked  a  couple 
of  miles,  "  I  shall  sink  to  the  ground  soon  ! " 

"  I  am  sorry  for  you,  Kate ;  but  what  can  I  do  ? " 
I  replied. 

"  I  am  tired  out ;  and  I  am  so  frightened,  I  can 
hardly  walk." 

"  Don't  be  alarmed ;  we  are  safe  now,"  I  added, 
drawing  her  arm  through  mine.  "  Now  lean  on 
me." 

"  But  you  must  be  tired,  Ernest  Thornton." 

"No,  not  a  particle;  let  me  help  you  as  much  as 
I  can." 

"  This  is  much  easier  than  it  was  before,"  said 
she;  and  she  clung  to  me  like  a  frightened  child  — 
as  indeed  she  was. 

"Don't  be  afraid  to  lean  your  whole  weight  upon 
me,"  I  added.  "  I  would  carry  you  if  I  could." 

I  think  it  was    her  fears  more   than   her  exertions 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  227 

that  exhausted  her;  and,  by  the  time  we  had  walked 
another  mile,  as  I  estimated  the  distance,  she  de 
clared  that  she  felt  better,  and  more  able  to  walk 
than  at  first.  As  we  continued  on  our  way,  I  saw 
a  horse  car  on  another  avenue,  —  street  railroads  at 
that  time  were  not  so  abundant  as  now,  —  and  we 
followed  a  cross  street  till  we  came  to  the  track. 

"  I  feel  ever  so  much  better  now ! "  exclaimed 
Kate,  as  the  circumstances  became  more  hopeful. 

"  There  is  nothing  more  to  fear,"  I  replied.  "  I 
wish  I  knew  how  Tom  Thornton  was." 

"  Why,  what  is  the  matter  with  him  ?  "  asked  Kate, 
with  astonishment;  and  I  perceived  that  she  had  no 
definite  idea  of  what  had  happened  before  the  public 
house.  The  poor  girl  was  so  terrified  that  she  had 
hardly  known  anything  from  the  time  our  suspicions 
were  first  excited  till  we  had  walked  two  or  th^ee 
miles  from  the  scene  of  the  affray. 

"Did  you  think,  Kate,  that  he  permitted  us  to 
leave  the  carriage?"  I  asked. 

"  I  didn't  think  anything  about  it ;  I  was  so  fright 
ened  I  couldn't  think." 

"  I  hope  he  is  net  badly  hurt,''  I  added,  musing. 


228  SEEK    AXD    FIND,    OB 

"Badly  hurt!  Why,  what  do  you  mean,  Ernest 
Thornton?"  she  asked,  her  terror  renewed  by  my 
words. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  Kate ;  he  deserved  all  Le  got, 
and  more  too,  if  the  blow  didn't  kill  him." 

"  Why,  Ernest  Thornton !  " 

"Do  you  see  this?"  I  added,  holding  up  the 
wrench,  which,  from  an  instinct  of  self-preservation, 
I  had  kept  in  my  hand. 

"What  is  it?" 

"An  iron  wrench.  I  struck  Tom  Thornton  over 
the  head  with  it,  and  he  fell  from  the  driver's  box 
on  the  backs  of  the  horses." 

"  O  !  "  groaned  she. 

"It  could  not  be  helped,  Kate." 

*"  I  hope  he  is  not  much  hurt." 

**  I  hope  not ;  but  I  can't  help  it  if  he  i»,"  I  re 
plied,  desperately,  for  I  had  many  fears  in  regard  to 
the  result,  and  was  not  half  so  confident  of  the  fu 
ture  as  I  tried  to  appear.  "  There  is  a  car,  Kate," 
I  added,  throwing  the  wrench  away.  ''Now  be 
calm,  and  try  to  look  as  though  nothing  had  hap 
pened." 


THE    ADVEXTUKES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  229 

She  covered  her  face  with  a  thick  veil,  and  we 
entered  the  horse  car.  Riding  in  silence  for  a  long 
hour,  we  reached  the  Park,  where,  taking  a  stage, 
we  proceeded  to  the  hotel.  It  was  nearly  eleven 
o'clock  when  we  went  into  the  parlor,  where  Kate 
sank  exhausted  upon  a  sofa.  I  found  that  Mrs* 
Macombe  had  retired,  but  I  called  her  up.  The 
poor  girl's  nerves  were  fearfully  unstrung,  but  the 
good  woman  ministered  to  her  like  an  angel.  She 
slept  with  her,  and  was  all  that  a  loving  mother 
could  be  to  her. 

For  my  own  part,  I  ate  a  hearty  supper,  and  went 
to  bed.  It  was  not  without  the  fear  that  the  police 
would  visit  me  before  morning,  that  I  lay  on  my 
uouch  thinking  of  the  startling  events  of  the  evening. 
Yet,  as  I  repeated  my  prayer  that  night,  I  felt  that 
I  had  done  no  more  than  my  duty  —  my  duty  to 
Kate,  rny  mother,  and  myself.  I  would  have  given 
half  the  money  in  my  belt  to  know  whether  Tom 
Thornton  was  dead  or  alive.  I  had  not  injured  him 
from  malice  or  for  revenge,  only  in  self-defence ;  and 
I  felt  that  a  just  God  would  burden  him,  rather  than 
me,  with  the  consequences  of  the  blow  I  had  struck. 


230  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

I  went  to  sleep  at  last,  with  the  prayer  in  my  heart, 
that  Tom  Thornton  would  recover  from  the  injury 
he  had  received. 

Kate  was  quite  ill  in  the  morning;  but  Mrs.  Ma- 
combe  cared  for  her  tenderly,  and  assured  me  noth 
ing  serious  would  result  from  the  terror  and  excite 
ment  to  which  she  had  been  subjected.  After  break 
fast  I  hastened  to  the  store  of  McKim  &  Loraine. 
Kate's  uncle  had  returned  the  preceding  evening, 
and  I  waited  till  he  came  down  town.  In  as  few 
words  as  possible,  I  told  him  what  Kate's  situa 
tion  had  been  at  the  house  of  her  step-mother, 
what  abuse  she  had  suffered,  and  in  what  manner 
she  had  escaped.  He  was  indignant,  and  insisted 
that  she  should  immediately  make  his  house  her 
home. 

Then  I  showed  him  the  note  signed  with  his 
name,  which  the  hackman  had  brought  for  Kate.  It 
was  a  forgery,  and  Mr.  Loraine  could  hardly  control 
his  anger.  I  related  to  him  our  adventure  at  Har- 

O 

lem,  and  described  the  scene  on  the  top  of  the 
hack. 

"  Served  him  right ! "  exclaimed  he. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMABT    BOY.  231 

*I  may  have  killed  him,"  I  added. 

"I  Lope  you  did,"  replied  he,  bluntly.  "I  will  go 
and  see  Kate  at  once." 

On  our  arrival  at  the  hotel,  we  found  the  haokman 
there  who  had  driven  us  out  to  Harlem. 


232  SEEK  AND   FIND,   OB 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST    VISITS    MADISON    PLACE. 

I'M  waiting  for  you,"  said  the  hack-driver,  as  I 
entered  the  office  of  the  hotel  with  Mr.  Lo- 
raine. 

"What  do  you  want  of  me?"  I  demanded,  sup 
posing  the  villain  was  charged  with  the  execution  of 
some  further  design  upon  me. 

"I  want  my  money,"  he  growled. 

"What  money?" 

"For  driving  you   out  to  Harlem." 

"Do  you  expect  me  to  pay  that?" 

"  As  the  gintleman  didn't  pay  me,  I  expect  you  to 
do  so,"  he  replied,  with  refreshing  coolness. 

"  Where  is  the  gentleman  now  ? "  I  asked ;  and, 
wishing  to  obtain  some  information  in  regard  to 
Tom,  if  I  could,  I  did  not  decline  to  pay  his  de 
mand. 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    SMART   BOY.  233 

"  I  don't  know  where  he  is." 

"  What  became  of  him  ?  " 

"  With  the  help  of  some  people  I  found  in  the 
bar-room,  I  took  him  into  the  public  house.  Bedad, 
it  was  a  hard  crack  you  guv  him,"  added  the  hack- 
man,  in  a  low  tone.  "  If  you  pay  me  the  tin  dol 
lars,  I  won't  say  anything  agin  you." 

"You  carried  him  into  the  public  house,"  I  re 
peated.  "What  then?" 

"Wait  till  I  tell  you.  Begorra,  I  thought  he  was 
kilt,  sure,"  he  replied,  in  confidential  whispers.  "  A 
bad  scrape  it  was,  and  I  didn't  want  to  be  in  it ;  so 
I  jumped  on  my  box  and  druv  off,  telling  'em  I  was 

goin'  for  a  docther." 

• 
"Don't  you  know  what  became  of  him?" 

"  Faix,  I  do.  Two  hours  afther,  I  sent  a  frind  of 
mine,  one  Michael  Mallahy,  that  lives  convanient  to 
the  public  house,  to  go  and  drink  a  glass  of  beer  at 
the  bar-room,  and  inquire  for  the  man  that  was 
hurted.  Now  pay  me  my  tin  dollars,  and  I  won't 
say  a  word." 

"Did  your  friend  find  out  about  the  man  thai 
was  hurt?"  I  inquired,  putting  my  hand  into  my 
pocket. 


234  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"Faix,  he  did.  The  gintleman  wasn't  kilt  at  all 
He  came  out  of  it  with  only  a  sore  head,  and  left 
the  public  house  all  alone  by  himself." 

"  Haven't  you  heard  of  him  since  ?  " 

"  Not  one  word ;  and  I  don't  know  where  in  the 
world  is  he." 

"And  he  didn't  pay  you?"  I  added,  withdrawing 
my  hand  empty  from  my  pocket. 

"He  did  not  thin." 

"  He  served  you  just  right,  then,"  I  continued. 

"Aren't  you  going  to  pay  me  my  tin  dollars?" 
said  he,  looking  uglier  than  usual. 

"I  am  not  — not  I." 

"Begorra,  thin,  I  will  inform  the  police,"  replied 
he,  savagely.  "  You  struck  the  gintleman  on  the 
head  with  the  wrinch,  and  I'll  have  you  in  the 
Tombs." 

"  What's  the  trouble ! "  asked  Mr.  Loraine,  who 
had  been  impatiently  waiting  for  me  in  another  part 
of  the  room,  as  he  stepped  up  to  the  hackman,  his 
attention  attracted  by  the  fellow's  anger. 

"That  is  the  man  that  drove  us  out  to  Harlem 
last  night,"  I  answered. 


THE   ADVENTURES   OP  A   SMART  BOY.  2% 

"What's  your  number?"  demanded  Mr.  Loraine  of 
the  surly  brute. 

The  hackman  looked  at  him.  The  New  York 
merchant  was  no  tyro,  and  Jehu,  preferring  not  to 
deal  with  one  who  understood  the  characteristics  of 
his  class,  suddenly  bolted  through  the  open  door,  and 
ran  for  his  hack.  Mr.  Loraine  pursued  him ;  but  the 
rascal  had  left  his  carriage  on  the  Bowling  Green 
side  of  the  street,  and  he  distanced  both  of  us. 
Leaping  upon  his  box,  he  drove  off  as  fast  as  his 
horses  could  go. 

"Didn't  you  notice  the  number  of  his  hack?" 
asked  Mr.  Loraine,  as  we  returned  to  the  hotel. 

"I  did  not,  sir." 

"What  did  he  want  of  you?" 

"He  wished  me  to  pay  him  ten  dollars  for  drivin| 
Kate  and  me  out  to  Harlem  last  night,"  I  replied, 
laughing. 

"  It  did  not  take  you  long  to  give  him  an  answei 
to  such  a  demand." 

"I  wanted  to  know  why  Tom  Thornton  had  noX 
paid  him.  It  seems  that  the  scoundrel,  when  be 
found  his  employer  was  hurt,  was  afraid  of  getting 


236  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 

into  trouble,  and  left  him.  I  put  my  hand  into  my 
pocket,  as  though  I  intended  to  pay  him,  so  as  to 
induce  him  to  tell  me  what  I  wanted  to  know." 

"You'll  do!"  added  Mr.  Loraine,  smiling.  "But 
what  did  become  of  Thornton  ?  " 

"When  the  hackman  sent  a  friend  of  his  to  inquire 
about  him,  Tom  Thornton  had  come  to  his  senses 
and  left." 

"  I'm  afraid  you'll  hear  from  him  again.  If  you  do, 
let  me  know.  Now,  where  is  Kate?" 

I  conducted  him  up  stairs  to  Mrs.  Macombe's  par 
lor.  Mr.  Loraine  proved  to  be  all  I  had  wished  him 
to  be  —  sympathizing,  noble,  and  decided.  He  asked 
Kate  a  great  many  questions,  in  order  to  assure  him 
self  that  she  was  not  a  naughty,  wilful,  and  disobe 
dient  girl ;  and,  in  answer  to  them,  she  told  her  whole 
story,  as  she  had  told  it  to  Bob  Hale  and  me  in  the 
Btanding-room  of  the  Splash.  I  made  a  voluntary 
statement  of  my  impressions  in  regard  to  the  step 
mother,  and  the  interview  I  had  had  with  her. 

"  I  never  liked  the  woman,"  added  Mr.  Loraine ; 
"and,  till  the  day  of  my  brother's  death,  I  did  not 
tease  to  regret  his  marriage.  "Why  didn't  you  write 
to  me,  Kate?" 


THE  ADVENTURES  OP  A  SMART  BOY      231 

"She  would  not  let  me." 

"Why  didn't  you  tell  Mr.  Windleton  about  the 
treatment  you  received  ?  " 

"It  wasn't  so  bad  till  after  Mr.  Windleton  went 
to  Europe." 

"  We  will  have  it  made  right  at  once.  I  have 
done  some  business  for  Windleton  during  his  absence ; 
for  he  was  a  friend  of  mine,  as  well  as  of  my  broth 
er.  He  will  be  shocked  when  he  hears  of  this  busi 
ness.  I  expect  him  back  the  next  steamer,  due  to 
day  or  to-morrow.  I  shall  go  and  see  this  woman 
as  soon  as  he  returns." 

"But  I  don't  want  to  go  back  to  her,  uncle  Free 
man,"  said  Kate,  with  a  suppressed  shudder. 

"You  shall  not;  you  shall  live  with  me,  if  you 
are  so  disposed." 

"O,  uncle!" 

Kate  cried ;  I  am  sure  I  don't  know  why,  for 
there  was  certainly  nothing  to  cry  about.  Mrs.  Ma- 
combe,  I  know,  was  sorry  that  Kate  was  going  to 
live  with  her  uncle,  for  she  had  already  become  very 
much  attached  to  her,  and  would  gladly  have  given 
her  a  home,  and  been  a  mother  to  her.  When  they 


238  SEEK   AND   FIND,   OK 

parted,  Mr.  Loraine  promised  that  his  niece  should 
visit  her  at  no  distant  day.  I  was  taking  ray  leave 
of  Kate,  when  her  uncle  interposed,  and  insisted  that 
I  should  go  with  them  to  his  residence.  My  fair 
fellow-traveller  would  not  permit  me  to  leave  yet, 
and  a  carriage  was  called,  in  which  we  started  for 
Madison  Place. 

The  ride  was  not  so  long  as  the  one  we  had 
taken  on  the  preceding  evening.  Kate  was  warmly 
welcomed  by  Mrs.  Loraine  and  her  family ;  and  when 
I  saw  the  kindness  that  beamed  in  their  eyes,  and 
was  reflected  from  their  actions,  I  was  confident 
that  Kate  had  found  a  good  home — that  best  of 
earthly  blessings.  I  was  sorry  to  part  with  her;  in 
deed,  I  did  not  know  how  strongly  I  was  interested 
in  her  until  the  hour  of  separation  came-.  I  bade 
good  by  to  the  family,  and  she  followed  me  to  the 
street  door. 

"I  don't  want  you  to  go,  Ernest  Thornton,"  said 
she,  calling  me,  as  she  invariably  did,  by  my  full 
name. 

"I  don't  want  to  go,  Kate;  but  you  know  what 
work  I  have  on  my  hands,"  I  reph'ed. 


THE  <.DVE:NTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY.          239 

"  Cannot  ray  uncle  help  you  ?  I  know  he  would 
be  willing  to  do  so,"  she  asked. 

"I  don't  think  I  need  any  more  help.  If  Tom 
Thornton  troubles  me  any  more,  I  shall  apply  to 
him.  But  I  think  I  have  given  Tom  his  quietus 
for  the  present.  He  will  carry  a  sore  head  around 
with  him  for  some  time.  But  I  must  go  now.  The 
steamer  sails  to-morrow,  you  know." 

"  Shall  I  not  see  you  again  ? "  she  asked,  begin 
ning  to  be  very  much  moved. 

"  I  will  call  upon  you  this  evening,  if  I  can." 

"You  will  come,  Ernest  Thornton  —  won't  you?" 

"  If  possible,  I  will." 

"And  when  you  get  to  England,  you  must  write 
to  me." 

"I  will  certainly  do  that.     Good  by,  Kate." 

She  extended  her  hand  to  me,  and  I  took  it. 
Then  I  hastened  away,  fearful  that  she  would  cry 
again.  I  walked  down  the  street  thinking  of  her. 
She  was  not  as  pretty  as  many  young  ladies  I  had 
met,  but  she  was  exceedingly  interesting,  to  say  noth 
ing  of  the  grace  of  her  form,  which  I  have  never 
seen  surpassed.  She  is  as  graceful  and  interesting 
tow  as  she  was  then.  But  I  will  not  anticipate. 


240  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

I  did  not  expect  to  hear  any  more  from  Tom 
Thornton,  and  I  did  not  fear  any  obstacles  to  my 
departure  for  England  the  next  day.  I  took  from 
my  pocket  the  card  which  the  gentleman  whose  ac 
quaintance  I  had  made  on  board  the  Albany  steamer 
had  given  me.  His  name  was  Solomons.  I  after> 
wards  learned  that  he  was  a  Jew;  and  my  estimate 
of  the  whole  Jewish  people  was  very  much  increased 
after  a  few  days'  intimacy  with  him.  His  hotel  was 
written  in  pencil  under  his  name.  I  readily  found 
it,  and  he  was  in  his  room. 

He  received  me  very  kindly ;  but  I  had  to  tell 
him  everything  that  had  occurred  after  my  arrival  in 
the  city,  before  I  could  introduce  the  topic  which  was 
uppermost  in  my  mind.  He  was  warmly  interested 
in  the  affairs  of  Kate,  and  was  delighted  when  I  told 
him  she  was  then  with  her  uncle's  family  as  happy 
as  she  could  be. 

"  I  shall  sail  for  England  with  you  to-morrow,  sir," 
I  added,  when  Kate's  history  had  been  disposed  of. 

"Ah,  indeed!  I'm  glad  to  hear  it.  Have  you 
pigaged  your  passage  yet?"  he  asked,  briskly. 

"Not  yet,  sir.r 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  241 

"  Not  yet,  my  boy !  I  arn  afraid  you'll  find  no 
berth.  The  other  one  in  my  state-room  was  not 
taken  yesterday,  but  I  fear  we  are  too  late  for  it  to 
day.  We  will  go  down  and  see  to  it  at  once." 

We  rode  down  to  the  steamer  office  in  a  stage, 
and  Mr.  Solomons  inquired  rather  nervously  about 
the  other  berth  in  his  room. 

"It  was  taken  not  more  than  half  an  hour  ago," 
replied  the  clerk. 

"  That's  unfortunate,"  added  my  friend,  apparently 
as  much  disappointed  as  I  was.  "What  else  have 


you 


9" 


"Nothing  just  now.  A  gentleman  has  taken  Nos. 
41  and  42,"  he  added,  pointing  to  the  plan  of  the 
cabins,  on  the  counter  before  him ;  "  but  there  is 
some  doubt  whether  he  will  go.  He  engaged  the 
room  yesterday,  and  I  promised  to  keep  it  tor  him 
till  all  the  other  berths  were  taken.  He  was  here  a 
while  ago,  and  said  he  would  give  his  final  answer 
in  an  hour.  It  is  time  he  was  here." 

"In   that  case   we   will   wait   a  while,"    continued 
Mr.   Solomons.      "  I    engaged    my  passage    a   month 
*go,  and  the  ship  was  half  full  then." 
16 


242  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

"  Couldn't  I  find  some  place  on  board  ? "  I  asked, 
anxiously. 

"  I  don't  know ;  the  officers  sometimes  give  up 
their  rooms  for  a  consideration.  I  gave  the  third 
officer  five  pounds  for  his  room  the  last  time  I  came 
over  from  Liverpool." 

"I  have  concluded  to  take  that  room,"  said  a 
young  man,  rather  dashily  dressed,  as  he  rushed  has 
tily  up  to  the  counter. 

My  heart  sank  within  me,  for  the  announcement 
seemed  to  mean  that  I  had  lost  my  passage.  But 
I  was  determined  to  go  on  board  of  the  steamer, 
and  make  an  arrangement  with  any  officer  who  was 
open  to  a  treaty  for  the  use  of  his  state-room. 

"You  take  both  berths?"    added  the  clerk. 

"No,"  replied  the  young  man,  glancing  at  me,  as 
I  had  seen  him  do  several  times  before. 

"Then  here  is  your  chance,"  said  the  clerk  to  Mr. 
Solomons. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  243 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

IN   WHICH    ERNEST    MAKES    THE    ACQUAINTANCE    OF 
E.   DUNKSWELL. 

MR.  SOLOMONS  examined  the  plan  again  to 
ascertain  the  locality  of  the  state-room  which 
contained  the  unoccupied  berth. 

"  It  is  on  the  other  side  of  the  ship  from  mine," 
Baid  he.  "  But  we  can  do  no  better." 

"Perhaps  this  gentleman  will  exchange  with  you," 
suggested  the  clerk. 

"I  am  quite  willing  to  take  the  young  gentleman 
into  my  state-room,"  answered  the  stranger. 

"  Of  course  he  will  take  the  vacant  berth  in  that 
room,"  added  Mr.  Solomons,  who  did  not  seem  to 
think  that  the  offer  of  the  stranger  was  very  mag 
nanimous,  since  the  berth  in  his  room  could  be  taken 
by  the  next  applicant,  whether  he  was  willing  or 
not. 


244  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

The  clerk  had  written  the  receipt  for  the  passage 
money  paid  him  by  the  young  man,  and  pushed  it 
across  the  counter  towards  him.  The  name  on  the 
paper  was  E.  Dunkswell.  I  confess  that  I  was  not 
particularly  pleased  with  Mr.  Dunkswell,  and  did  not 
care  to  occupy  a  state-room  with  him.  Besides 
being  rather  jauntily  dressed,  he  wore  too  much  jew 
elry  to  suit  my  taste.  His  speech  was  somewhat 
peculiar,  and  I  set  him  down  as  a  fast  young  man* 
He  appeared  to  be  about  twenty-one  years  old,  though 
possibly  he  was  more  than  that. 

"I  have  the  lower  berth  in  this  room,"  said  Mr 
Solomons,  addressing  the  stranger,  and  pointing  to 
his  room  on  the  plan.  "  It  is  about  the  same  kind 
of  a  room  as  your  own.  If  you  would  exchange 
berths  with  me,  it  would  oblige  me  very  much." 

"I  should  be  very  happy  to  accommodate  you," 
replied  the  fast  young  man,  "  but  for  particular  reax 
sons  I  desire  to  occupy  the  berth  I  have  engaged." 

"My  room  is  just  as  good  as  the  one  you  havi 
taken,"  added  Mr.  Solomons. 

"  Very  true ;  but  I  like  the  locality  of  mine  bettet 
than  yours." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  245 

It  was  evident  that  Mr.  Dunkswell  had  a  decided 
opinion  of  his  own  in  this  matter;  and  my  kind 
friend  was  too  much  of  a  gentleman  to  say  anything 
more  about  the  exchange.  He  engaged  the  berth ; 
but  there  was  still  a  hope  that  an  arrangement  might 
be  made  with  the  person  who  had  taken  the  upper 
berth  in  Mr.  Solomons'  state-room.  Just  then  it  oc 
curred  to  me,  as  I  saw  the  clerk  writing  the  receipt 
for  me,  that  my  money  was  where  I  could  not  get 
at  it  in  a  public  place ;  but  it  was  only  a  short  dis 
tance  to  the  hotel,  and  I  ran  over  to  my  room,  and 
put  the  greater  part  of  my  funds  in  my  wallet.  The 
passage  money  was  paid,  and  with  a  lively  emotion 
of  pleasure  at  the  prospect  which  the  ticket  opened 
to  me,  I  put  it  into  my  pocket. 

Mr.  Solomons  then  went  with  me  to  a  banker's, 
for  I  had  taken  his  advice,  and  resolved  to  procure 
a  letter  of  credit  on  a  London  banker.  My  friend 
was  very  much  surprised,  and  I  think  he  was  a  little 
suspicious,  when  I  told  him  I  had  over  a  thousand 
dollars  in  my  pocket.  The  banker  gave  me  a  letter 
of  credit  for  two  hundred  pounds,  and  I  deposited 
a  thousand  dollars  with  him,  as  security.  On  my 


246  SEEK    AXD    FIND,    OB 

return  I  was  to  settle  with  him  for  whatever  sums 
I  had  drawn,  and  he  was  to  pay  me  back  the  bal 
ance,  with  four  per  cent,  interest.  Mr.  Solomons 
was  particular  to  have  it  understood  by  the  banker 
in  London  that  the  money  would  be  drawn  by  a 
young  man  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  I  left  my  sig 
nature  to  be  forwarded  to  him. 

My  business  was  all  done,  and  I  parted  with  Mr. 
Solomons,  to  meet  him  again  the  next  day  on  board 
the  steamer.  In  the  evening,  I  went  up  to  Madison 
Place,  and  staid  till  nine  o'clock. 

"Who  do  you  suppose  has  been  here  this  after 
noon?"  asked  Kate  of  me,  as  I  was  taking  my 
leave. 

"  Not  Tom  Thornton  ?  "  I  replied,  inquiringly. 

"  No ;  the  gentleman  we  saw  on  the  steamboat  — 
your  friend;  he  was  with  you  to-day." 

"Mr.  Solomons?" 

"  Yes ;  he  told  me  what  a  lot  of  money  you  had, 
and  wanted  to  know  if  you  had  come  honestly 
by  it." 

"Well,  what  did  you  tell  him?"  I  asked,  anx 
iously. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    HOT.  247 

"I  told  him  the  money  was  rightfully  your  own. 
He  told  me  he  supposed  it  was  all  right,  though  over 
a  thousand  dollars  was  a  large  sum  for  a  mere  boy 
to  have,  and  manage  himself." 

I  had  almost  concluded  before  to  tell  Mr.  Solo 
mons  the  whole  truth  in  regard  to  myself;  and  the 
trouble  he  had  taken  to  satisfy  himself  of  my  hon 
esty,  decided  me  to  do  so  at  the  first  convenient 
opportunity.  I  did  not  bid  Kate  a  final  good  by 
when  I  left  the  house,  for  Mr.  Loraine  promised  to 
take  her  over  to  Jersey  City,  where  the  steamer  lay, 
to  "  see  me  off."  On  my  way  to  the  hotel,  I  visited 
the  post-office,  as  I  had  done  every  day  since  my 
arrival  in  the  city.  This  time  I  found  a  letter  from 
Bob  Hale,  and  I  hastened  to  my  room  at  the  hotel 
to  read  it. 

It  was  a  long  letter,  full  of  warm  and  generous 
feeling  towards  me  —  it  was  just  like  Bob.  He  in 
formed  me  that  my  uncle  was  apparently  as  well  as 
usual ;  he  had  gone  to  the  cottage,  and  inquired  of 
old  Betsey.  There  had  been  a  great  deal  of  talk 
about  my  going  off;  but  no  one  knew  anything  about 
the  real  circumstances.  Mrs.  Loraine  had  taken  pains 
to  "  hush  up  "  the  facts  in  regard  to  Kate. 


iJ48  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

"  When  my  father  came  home,"  wrote  Bob,  "  1 
told  him  your  story,  as  you  wished  me  to  do.  He 
shook  his  head,  and  said  it  was  a  foolish  story,  and 
he  feared  you  were  a  bad  boy,  after  all.  But  when 
I  showed  him  your  father's  will,  and  he  had  read  it, 
he  caved  in  like  an  avalanche.  He  told  me  he 
thought,  from  your  uncle's  singular  life,  that  some 
thing  ailed  him,  and  your  story  explained  it  perfect 
ly.  He  was  sorry  you  had  not  come  to  him,  instead 
of  going  away.  I  told  him  you  wanted  to  find  your 
mother,  and  cared  more  for  her  than  you  did  for  the 
money.  He  praised  you  then,  and  hoped  you  would 
find  her.  He  put  the  will  in  his  safe,  and  you  may 
be  sure  it  will  be  forthcoming  when  you  want  it." 

Bob  related  all  the  news  about  the  fellows  in  Park- 
ville,  and  wished  me  to  answer  his  letter  immedi 
ately.  I  did  so  that  night,  giving  him  all  the  inci 
dents  of  my  trip  to  New  York,  and  the  events  which 
occurred  after  my  arrival,  with  my  plans  for  the 
future.  When  I  went  to  bed  I  could  not  sleep,  I 
was  so  excited  by  the  fact  that  I  was  going  to  Eng 
land  the  next  day.  I  trembled  when  I  thought  of 
my  mother,  and  of  what  might  happen  to  prevent 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A   SMART    BOY.  249 

my  finding  her.  I  heard  the  clock  on  Trinity  Church 
strike  three  before  I  went  to  sleep. 

It  was  eight  o'clock  when  I  awoke,  and  I  was  to 
be  on  board  the  steamer  at  ten.  I  ate  my  breakfast, 
paid  my  bill,  and  left  the  hotel  with  my  valise  in 
my  hand.  A  stage  up  Greenwich  Street  carried  me 
nearly  to  the  ferry,  and  I  reached  the  steamer  half 
an  hour  before  the  appointed  time.  I  found  the 
state-room  which  I  was  to  share  with  "E.  Dunks- 
well,"  where  I  left  my  valise,  the  evidence  of  my 
respectability,  and  then  went  on  deck.  Mr.  Loraine 
and  Kate  soon  appeared,  and  I  spent  the  time  with 
them  until  those  not  going  in  the  ship  were  required 
to  leave.  Kate  cried  then ;  I  took  her  hand  and 
kissed  her  —  I  could  not  help  it.  We  parted  as 
brother  and  sister  would  part,  and  I  watched  her  on 
the  wharf  until  she  could  no  longer  be  seen.  The 
ponderous  wheels  of  the  great  ship  revolved,  and  we 
moved  slowly  down  the  harbor. 

I  was  excited  by  the  scene  and  its  surround 
ings,  by  the  thought  that  I  was  leaving  the  land 
where  I  had  lived  from  my  childhood,  and  more  than 
all  by  the  reflection  that  I  was  going  to  seek  and  find 


250  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

my  mother.  Everything  was  new  and  strange  to 
me.  I  wandered  through  every  part  of  the  ship  open 
to  a  passenger.  I  gazed  at  the  shores,  and  I  studied 
the  faces  of  my  fellow-voyagers.  Off  Sandy  Hook 
the  pilot  was  discharged,  and  the  prow  of  the  nohle 
steamer  pointed  out  to  the  middle  of  the  great  ocean 
that  rolled  between  me  and  my  mother.  The  excite 
ment  on  board  began  to  subside ;  the  passengers 
went  below  to  arrange  their  state-rooms  for  the 
voyage. 

When  I  first  went  on  board  I  entered  the  dining 
saloon,  where  I  found  a  few  passengers  selecting  their 
seats  at  the  tables.  Mr.  Solomons  had  told  me  in 
travelling  to  do  as  others  did ;  so  I  took  a  couple  of 
cards,  wrote  my  friend's  name  on  one  and  my  own  on 
the  other,  and  pinned  them  to  the  table-cloth,  as  near 
the  head  of  the  captain's  table  as  I  could  find  two 
vacant  places.  This  secured  us  pleasant  seats  for  the 
voyage,  and  Mr.  Solomons  was  pleased  with  my 
thoughtfulness,  as  he  called  it.  Before  we  reached 
Sandy  Hook,  he  proposed  to  his  room-mate  to  ex 
change  berths  with  me  ;  but  when  Mr.  Dunkswell  was 
pointed  out  to  him  as  the  person  whose  state-room 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP   A    SMART    BOY.  25\ 

ne  was  to  share,  he  politely  but  regretfully  declined 
to  do  so,  leaving  his  reasons  to  be  inferred,  for  he 
did  not  give  them. 

When  the  gong  sounded  for  lunch,  at  twelve 
o'clock,  I  found  to  my  surprise  that  Mr.  Dunkswell 
had  taken  the  seat  next  to  mine.  I  was  rather  prej 
udiced  against  him ;  partly  because  he  refused  to  ex 
change  berths  with  my  friend,  and  pailly  because 
Mr.  Solomons'  room-mate  did  not  like  him  well 
enough  to  exchange  with  me.  He  was  very  polite 
to  me,  and  seemed  to  be  strongly  inclined  to  culti 
vate  an  intimacy  with  me.  I  could  not  do  less 
than  be  civil  to  him.  He  invited  me  to  drink  wine 
with  him  at  lunch,  and  to  smoke  his  cigars  after 
wards,  neither  of  which  I  could  do. 

At  four  we  dined,  and  Mr.  Dunkswell  renewed  his 
efforts  to  be  intimate  with  me ;  and  the  more  he  per 
severed,  the  more  he  didn't  accomplish  anything.  I 
did  not  like  him,  and  I  could  not  like  him.  At  din 
ner  he  drank  more  wine  than  his  head  could  bear, 
and  this  did  not  make  him  any  more  agreeable  to 
me.  After  dinner,  Mr.  Solomons  and  myself  took 
seats  upon  the  hurricane  deck.  He  mentioned  that 


252  SEEK    AND    1'IXD,    OK 

he  had  called  to  see  Kate  the  preceding  evening, 
and  this  afforded  me  an  opportunity  to  tell  my  story, 
to  which  my  friend  listened  with  the  deepest  in 
terest. 

He  assured  me  that  I  had  done  right ;  that  it  was 
my  duty  to  find  my  mother;  that  the  fact  of  my 
Uncle's  misapplying  my  father's  fortune  justified  me 
in  taking  the  money  and  the  papers  from  the  safe. 
He  commended  me  for  my  spirit,  and  for  my  devo 
tion  to  my  mother.  If  I  had  not  felt  sure  of  his 
approbation  beforehand,  I  suppose  I  should  not  have 
had  the  courage  to  tell  him  my  history.  At  half  past 
seven  we  went  down  to  tea;  and  this  time  Mr. 
Dunkswell  did  not  make  his  appearance. 

After  a  promenade  on  deck  till  nine  o'clock,  I 
found  myself  tired  enough  to  retire,  and  more  in 
clined  to  sleep  than  I  had  been  before  since  I  left 
Parkville.  I  went  to  my  state-room,  and  found  the 
door  locked  on  the  inside.  I  knocked,  but  Mr.  Dunks- 
well,  politely  but  in  rather  muddled  tones,  requested 
me  to  wait  a  moment.  I  did  wait  a  moment,  and 
was  admitted.  My  room-mate  was  tipsy,  but  not 
enough  so  to  make  him  anything  more  than  silly. 
He  was  lying  in  his  berth,  with  his  clothes  off 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  25S 

Having  occasion  to  open  my  valise,  I  found  the 
contents  in  a  very  confused  state,  and  not  as  I  had 
left  them.  I  was  somewhat  startled,  and  hastened 
to  examine  further.  I  had  put  my  letter  of  credit, 
and  about  two  hundred  dollars  in  bank  bills,  in  my 
money  belt.  The  letters  I  had  taken  from  my  uncle's 
safe  I  had  deposited  in  my  valise.  They  could  be 
of  no  value  to  any  one  on  board  but  myself,  and  I 
thought  they  would  be  safe  in  the  state-room. 

They  were  not  safe ;  to  my  astonishment  and  dis 
may,  they  were  not  to  be  found.  I  had  placed  them 
under  my  best  suit,  and  they  were  certainly  gone. 
The  confusion  in  my  valise  indicated  that  they 
been  stolen. 


254  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OB 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

IN  WHICH    EBNEST    FINDS    THAT    E.    DUNKSWELL   IS    A 
DISAGREEABLE    ROOM-MATE. 

I  WAS  vexed,  and  almost  disheartened,  by  the 
loss  of  the  letter  addressed  to  Bunyard.  My  plan 
to  find  my  mother  rested  mainly  on  the  possession 
of  it.  I  had  placed  the  letters  in  the  valise  after  I 
carne  on  board,  and  they  must  have  been  taken  out 
after  the  steamer  discharged  her  pilot.  There  was 
not  much  room  for  a  mystery,  for  I  immediately 
jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  E.  Dunkswell  was  the 
person  who  had  robbed  me. 

E.  Dunkswell  was  at  that  moment  in  his  berth,  at 
least  half  drunk,  and  a  bottle  labelled  "  Old  Bour 
bon"  stood  on  his  wash-stand.  The  odor  in  the 
state-room  was  quite  equal  to  that  of  a  third-class 
bar-room.  Why  had  E.  Dunkswell  taken  those  letx 
ters?  In  what  manner  did  they  concern  him?  This 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    EOT.  255 

was  an  interesting,  and  rather  exciting  question  to 
me,  and  it  suggested  other  pertinent  inquiries.  He 
had  not  taken  his  passage  till  after  I  applied  for 
mine.  He  had  practically  insisted  that  I  should  oc 
cupy  the  same  state-room  with  him.  Why  did  he 
refuse  to  exchange  berths  with  Mr.  Solomons  ?  Why 
did  he  labor  so  hard  to  become  intimate  with  me  ? 

The  answer  to  all  these  questions  was  plain 
enough  to  me  after  a  little  consideration.  He  was  an 
agent  of  Tom  Thornton.  He  had  been  sent  to  worm 
himself  into  my  friendship,  and  take  from  me  the 
will,  which  Tom  probably  supposed  I  earned  in  my 
pocket,  and  the  other  papers  which  would  enable  me 
to  find  my  mother.  Force  and  violence  had  failed, 
and  Tom  had  resorted  to  cunning  and  stratagem. 

E.  Dunkswell  had  drank  too  much  wine  at  dinner, 
and  too  much  whiskey  after  dinner.  Perhaps  the 
frequent  libations  he  had  taken  increased  his  zeaT, 
but  they  diminished  his  discretion  in  a  corresponding 
ratio.  He  had  begun  his  work  too  soon,  and  had 
done  it  in  a  very  bungling  manner.  If  whiskey  was  a 
curse  to  him,  it  was  a  blessing  to  me,  for  in  his  sober 
senses  he  would  not  have  exposed  himself  and  hia 
plans  by  robbing  my  valise  so  early  on  the  voyage. 


256  SEEK   ASiD   FIND,   OR 

My  blood  was  up ;  and  while  I  sat  on  the  sofa 
debating  whether  or  not  I  should  take  E.  Dunkswell 
by  the  throat,  and  "have  it  out"  with  him,  he  got 
out  of  his  berth,  and  took  another  pull  at  the  bottle. 
It  was  plain  that  he  had  no  intention  of  keeping 
sober,  and  I  concluded  to  wait  and  let  the  whiskey 
help  me  do  my  work. 

"How  is  it,  old  boy?"  said  he. 

"First  rate,"  I  replied. 

"How  zhe  head?" 

"  Sou'-sou'-west,  half-west." 

"I  mus'  zgo  on  deck  an  zee  to  it." 

He  put  on  his  hat,  straightened  himself  up,  and 
walked  out  of  the  room  as  well  as  he  could.  I 
locked  the  door  after  him.  If  his  key  would  fit 
my  .valise,  it  followed  that  my  key  would  fit  his 
trunk.  I  tried  the  experiment,  and  the  logic  failed. 
It  was  evident  that  he  had  other  keys,  or  that  he 
was  a  regular  operator,  and  carried  implements  for 
the  purpose  of  picking  locks.  I  was  not  sure  that 
the  papers  he  had  stolen  from  me  were  in  his  trunk ; 
but  I  was  determined  to  have  them  before  morning, 
if  I  had  to  split  the  trunk  open. 

I  unlocked    the    door,  and  presently  E.  Dunkswell 


THK   ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   EOT.  257 

staggered  into  the  room.     The  first  thing  he  did  was 
to  drink  from  the  bottle  again. 

"  Thornton  —  hie ! "  said  he.      "  You're  a  good  fel 
low.     Take  some  whisk  —  good  whisk  zever  you  drank 
—  hie  —  or  any  other  man.     Take  zome  whisk." 
"No,  I  thank  you;  I  never  drink  it." 
"You   dzon't   zrink  whisk!      Then   you   are   a   to- 
tzeetler." 

"  I  am,"  I  replied,  inclined  to  encourage  him  in 
talking,  hopeful  that  he  would  say  something  which 
would  be  of  use  to  me. 

"  I'm  not  a  to-tzeetler.  My  name's  Dzunkswell. 
You're  a  to-tzeetler,  and  I  inus  zrink  for  boze  of 
us ; "  and,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  imbibed 
again.  "  If  I'm  zrunk  to-night,  '11  be  your  fault,  Thorn 
ton  —  'cause  I've  got  to  zrink  for  boze  of  us." 

But  he  was  no  longer  in  condition  even  to  drink 
for  both  of  us.  He  had  already  taken  more  than 
he  could  carry,  and  he  had  just  sense  enough  left  to 
roll  into  his  berth,  all  in  a  heap.  I  straightened  him 
out  a  little,  and  in  a  few  moments  I  heard  him  snor 
ing  in  his  drunken  slumbers.  The  time  for  action 
h<id  come,  and  I  was  determined  to  search  him  and 
17 


SEEK    JLND    FIND^   OB 

his  effects  till  I  found  the  precious  letters.  I  first 
examined  his  pockets,  but  without  finding  the  papers. 
The  key  of  his  trunk,  however,  I  did  find.  It  was 
exceedingly  disagreeable  business  to  me ;  and  if  only 
my  own  rights,  instead  of  the  life,  liberty,  and  hap 
piness  of  my  mother,  had  been  at  stake,  I  should 
have  taken  a  less  direct  and  more  uncertain  meth 
od  of  enforcing  them. 

The  trunk,  which  he  had  placed  under  his  berth,  I 
pulled  out  into  the  floor.  With  trembling  hand  and 
eager  heart  I  opened  it.  The  package  of  letters  had 
been  thrust  down  between  the  clothing  and  one  end, 
evidently  in  great  haste,  for  I  had  probably  disturbed 
him  when  I  came  to  the  door.  After  assuring  my 
self  I  had  all  that  belonged  to  me,  I  closed  the 
trunk,  —  for  I  had  no  desire  to  explore  it  any  fur 
ther,  —  and  restored  it  to  its  place  under  the  berth. 
The  drunken  agent  of  Tom  Thornton  still  snored 
unconscious  of  my  proceedings. 

I  took  the  precaution  to  place  the  Bunyard  letter 
in  my  money-belt ;  the  others,  being  of  minor  im 
portance,  I  put  in  my  valise  again.  I  looked  at  the 
miserable  being  who  lay  groaning  and  uneasy  in  the 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  259 

stupor  of  intoxication.  The  state-room  was  not  fit 
for  the  occupancy  of  a  decent  person.  The  fumes  of 
the  whiskey  were  sickening  to  me,  and  I  could  no 
longer  stay  there.  Taking  my  valise  in  my  hand,  I 
left  it,  resolved  not  to  be  the  room-mate  of  such  a 
filthy  swine. 

I  deposited  my  valise  in  a  corner  in  the  passage 
way,  and  went  into  the  saloon.  Mr.  Solomons  was 
there,  and  expressed  his  surprise  at  seeing  me.  I 
freely  told  him  what  had  transpired  in  the  state-room. 

"And  you  recovered  your  papers  —  did  you?" 
said  he. 

"  I  did ;  I  was  satisfied  the  fellow  had  been  sent 
by  Tom  Thornton,  to  prevent  me  from  finding  my 
mother." 

"No  doubt  of  it,  my  lad.  You  must  keep  away 
from  him  now." 

"  That  I  shall  certainly  do,  for  I  would  rather 
sleep  in  a  hog-pen  than  in  such  a  place  as  that 
state-room. " 

"  You  shall  not  sleep  there,"  replied  my  friend,  de 
cidedly ;  "come  with  me." 

I  followed  him  below,  and  he  conducted  me  to  hia 
own  room,  and  told  me  to  occupy  his  berth. 


260  SEEK    AND    FIXD,    OR 

"But  what  will  you  do?"  I  asked. 

"I  will  take  your  berth,  and  the  fellow  shall  not 
turn  the  room  into  a  pigsty." 

I  objected  to  this  arrangement,  and  offered  to 
Bleep  on  a  sofa  in  the  saloon ;  but  Mr.  Solomons 
persisted,  assuring  me  he  should  take  good  care  of 
himself,  and  would  not  submit  to  any  annoyance 
from  his  room-mate.  As  soon  as  this  point  was 
settled,  I  retired,  and  slept  soundly  till  the  break- 
fist  gong  roused  me  from  my  tired  slumbers.  When 
I  went  to  the  saloon,  E.  Dunkswell  was  in  his  place 
at  the  table ;  but  Mr.  Solomons  had  taken  the  place 
which  I  occupied  the  day  before,  so  as  to  bring  him 
self  between  the  obnoxious  individual  and  myself. 

E.  Dunkswell  did  not  appear  to  have  a  ravenous 
appetite.  He  looked  sheepish  and  disconcerted ;  and 
I  could  not  tell  whether  it  was  on  account  of  his 
spree,  because  he  had  discovered  the  loss  of  the  pa 
pers,  or  because  he  found  in  the  morning  that  he  had 
a  new  room-mate.  My  friend  was  cheerful  and  happy, 
and  so  was  I.  We  talked  and  laughed  as  though 
E.  Dunkswell  had  been  tipsy,  or  out  of  existence. 
We  took  no  notice  of  him,  either  by  word  or  look. 

It  was  a  .beautiful  day,  and  we  adjourned  to   the 


THK    ADVENTURES    OF   A   SMART    BOY.  261 

Hurricane  deck  to  enjoy  the  cool  air  and  the  prospect 
of  the  ever-throbbing  ocean.  Tom  Thornton's  agent 
soon  followed  us.  He  walked  up  and  down  the  un 
easy  deck,"  and  occasionally  glanced  at  me.  I  thought 
he  had  something  to  say  to  me;  but  he  evidently 
did  not  like  my  close  intimacy  with  Mr.  Solomons. 
During  the  day,  I  occasionally  saw  him,  and  he  al 
ways  appeared  to  be  watching  me ;  but  I  carefully 
avoided  him.  On  the  following  day,  however,  I  went 
forward  to  the  bow  alone. 

"  Passengers  not  allowed  forward  of  that  mark," 
said  a  sailor,  pointing  to  a  chalk  line  drawn  across 
the  deck.  "  You  are  fined,  sir." 

"What  for?"  I  asked. 

"For  crossing  the  line." 

"Why  don't  you  put  up  a  notice,  so  that  passen 
gers  need  not  cross  it  ? "  I  demanded. 

"Because  they  wouldn't  go  over  the  line  if  we  did, 
sir." 

"How  much  is  the  fine?" 

"  Anything  you  please,  sir." 

It  was  a  practical  joke,  one  of  Jack's  tricks,  and 
I  paid  the  fine,  amid  the  laughter  of  half  a  dozen 


262  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OR 

passengers,  who  had  already  been  made  victims.  As 
I  retreated,  I  encountered  E.  Dunkswell.  He  looked 
«our  and  savage. 

"  I  want  to  see  you,"  said  he,  gruffly. 

"  I  don't  want  to  see  you,"  I  replied,  continuing 
on  my  walk  aft. 

"  You  have  insulted  me,"  he  persisted,  putting  his 
hand  on  my  shoulder. 

"  Insulted  you ! "  I  replied,  pausing ;  for  I  was 
curious  to  know  in  what  manner  I  had  insulted  so 
vile  a  creature  as  he  was. 

"  You  have  insulted  me ! "  he  repeated. 

"You  said  that  before.     How?" 

"  You  exchanged  berths  with  that  old  chap  you 
run  with." 

"  I  don't  know  that  it  concerns  you  if  I  did." 

"It  was  the  same  as  saying  that  I  am  not  fit 
company  for  you,"  said  he,  shaking  his  head. 

"If  it  was,  it  was  also  saying  that  you  were  fit 
company  for  Mr.  Solomons,"  I  replied ;  and  I  regard 
ed  this  as  a  clincher  in  the  line  of  argument. 

"It  was  not  my  pleasure  to  room  with  him." 

"It  is  not  my  pleasure  to  room  with  you,"  I 
added. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMAKT    EOT.  2i 

"  I  consider  your  conduct  as  an  insult  to  me,  and 
I  hold  you  responsible  for  it." 

"  All  right,"  I  replied,  cheerfully.     "  Hold  away." 

"If  the  old  fellow  don't  go  back  to  his  room, 
there'll  be  a  row." 

"  The  old  fellow  will  do  as  he  pleases  about  that," 
I  added ;  "  but  whether  he  does  or  not,  I  shall  not 
return  to  your  room.  I  would  sleep  on  the  main 
truck  first." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  insult  me  again  ? " 

"Insult  you  again!"  I  exclaimed,  indignantly,  for 
my  blood  was  up  at  the  idea  of  a  fellow  like  him 
putting  on  such  airs.  "No  decent  man  could  stay 
in  the  room  with  you,  as  you  were  the  first  night." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  that  ?  " 

"You  were  as  drunk  as  an  owl,  and  made  the 
room  smell  like  a  low  groggery." 

"  I  confess  that  I  took  a  little  too  much  that  night," 
/aid  he,  suddenly  changing  his  front,  and  apparently 
relieved  to  find  that  this  was  the  objection  to  him. 
"I  shall  not  do  it  again." 

"I  shall  keep  away  from  you,  any  how,"  I  added. 

"  Will  you  ? "  he  continued,  angry  again.  "  That 
I 


264  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

night  I  lost  some  valuable  articles  from  my  trunk 
No  one  but  my  room-mate  could  have  taken  them. 
I  intend  to  complain  to  the  captain." 

M  Indeed  !  I  had  a  similar  experience.  I  had  some 
valuable  letters  taken  from  my  valise ;  and  they  could 
have  been  taken  only  by  my  room-mate ;  but  I  found 
them  again,  and  I  am  satisfied.  When  you  complain 
to  the  captain,  one  story  will  be  good  till  another  is 
told." 

Not  wishing  to  talk  with  him  any  longer,  I  walked 
aft.  He  followed  me,  uttering  threats  and  impreca 
tions,  which  I  did  not  heed.  E.  Dunkswell  was  a 
disappointed  man.  He  had  undertaken  a  mission 
which  he  was  not  competent  to  perform.  He  had 
failed  by  his  own  folly.  If  he  had  kept  sober  he 
might  have  retained  my  papers.  He  evidently  felt 
his  own  weakness,  and  realized  that  whiskey  had 
caused  him  to  make  a  mess  of  it. 

His  hostility  was  excited  against  me,  and  during 
the  rest  of  the  voyage  he  watched  me  with  an  evil 
eye,  and  appeared  to  be  waiting  for  an  opportunity 
to  do  something.  For  my  own  part,  I  felt  that  there 
was  a  heavy  discount  on  E.  Dunkswell. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  265 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

IN    WHICH    ERNEST    LANDS    AT    CROOKHAVEN,   AND 
PROCEEDS    TO   LONDON. 

WE  had  a  remarkably  pleasant  and  quick  pas 
sage,  and  on  the  eighth  day  from  New  York, 
while  we  were  at  dinner,  I  heard  the  captain  say  to 
a  lady  who  sat  near  him,  that  we  should  be  off 
Queenstown  the  next  morning,  at  six  or  seven 
o'clock.  I  was  sorry  that  we  were  to  approach  the 
land  by  night,  for  I  wanted  to  see  it. 

"  You  can  see  it  if  you  choose  to  sit  up  all  night," 
laughed  Mr.  Solomons. 

"  It  will  be  rather  too  dark  to  see  anything,"  I 
added. 

"  Not  at  all ;  it  is  about  the  full  of  the  moon,  and 
it  will  be  as  light  as  day.  You  can  turn  in  early, 
and  sleep  four  or  five  hours.  We  shall  be  off  Crook- 
haven,  where  they  throw  over  the  despatch  bag 


266  SEEK   AND    FIND,   OB 

about  five  or  six  hours  before  we  stop  off  Queens- 
town  ;  that  will  make  it  about  two  in  the  morning. 
If  you  will  retire  at  eight,  it  will  give  you  six 
hours'  sleep ;  and  you  can  turn  in  again  and  finish 
your  nap  after  you  have  seen  enough  of  the  shore." 

"I  think  I  will  do  so,  sir.  "What  is  the  despatch 
bag  you  speak  of? "  I  asked. 

"The  despatches  are  put  into  a  barrel  and  thrown 
overboard  off  Crookhaven,  where  a  steamer  picks 
them  up.  They  are  taken  ashore  and  telegraphed  to 
London.  The  despatches  are  simply  the  newspapers, 
from  which  the  news  agent  transmits  the  important 
items." 

After  dinner,  when  I  went  on  deck,  I  found  the 
carpenter  preparing  a  flour  barrel  for  the  despatches. 
A  quantity  of  sand  was  put  in  the  bottom  to  make 
it  stand  up  straight  in  the  water.  A  pole  was  set 
up  in  the  barrel,  like  the  mast  'of  a  vessel,  to  the 
top  of  which  a  blue-light  was  attached,  to  be  ignited 
when  it  was  thrown  overboard,  in  order  to  enable  the 
despatch  steamer  to  find  it  readily.  In  the  day 
time  a  red  rag  is  sometimes  attached  to  it,  I  was 
told  by  the  carpenter.  The  papers  were  placed  in 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  267 

a  water-tight  can,  and  imbedded  in  the  sand  in  the 
barrel. 

At  sea  almost  anything  creates  an  excitement,  and 
the  preparing  the  despatch  barrel  was  witnessed  by 
many  persons,  among  whom  I  noticed  Dunkswell.  1 
had  observed  that  he  listened  very  attentively  to  all 
that  passed  between  Mr.  Solomons  and  myself  at  the 
dinner  table.  I  did  not  regard  this  as  very  strange, 
for  all  on  board  were  deeply  interested  in  everything 
which  related  to  the  progress  of  the  steamer. 

At  eight  o'clock  I  turned  in,  and  went  to  sleep 
very  soon.  I  had  before  made  a  trade  with  one  of 
the  stewards  to  call  me  at  two  o'clock,  and  at  this 
hour  he  waked  me.  The  night  was  beautiful ;  the 
moon  shone  brightly  on  the  silver  waters,  and  the 
sea  was  quite  smooth.  I  did  not  see  a  single  passen 
ger  on  the  hurricane  deck.  I  made  out  the  outline 
of  some  high  hills  on  the  shore,  and  the  glimmer  of 
a  couple  of  distant  lights.  Three  men  were  standing 
ready  to  throw  over  the  despatch  barrel  as  soon  as 
the  small  steamer  should  appear. 

I  was  a  boy  then,  and  had  a  boy's  curiosity  to  see 
how  everything  was  done.  The  hurricane  deck  was 


268  SEEK    AND   FIND,   OK 

surrounded  by  an  open  railing,  on  the  top  of  whick 
I  placed  myself,  where  I  could  see  over  the  stern  of 
the  ship.  I  was  so  accustomed  to  the  water,  and  to 
high  places,  that  I  had  no  fear  of  anything.  I  put 
my  legs  over,  and  sat  facing  astern. 

"Don't  sit  there,  young  man;  you'll  certainly  fall 
overboard,"  said  the  officer  of  the  deck,  who  had 
come  aft  to  see  that  the  barrel  was  ready  to  go 
over. 

"  No  danger  of  that,"  I  replied,  easily. 

"Better  get  down,  and  come  on  board,"  added  a 
quarter-master. 

"I'm  an  old  sailor,"  I  answered,  laughing  at  the 
caution. 

"  Steamer  on  the  port  bow ! "  cried  some  one  for 
ward. 

"  Ready  with  the  barrel ! "  called  the  officer. 

"  All  ready,  sir ! "  replied  the  quarter-master,  whose 
attention  was  thus  turned  away  from  me. 

The  barrel  was  lifted  over  the  rail,  near  where  I 
sat,  and  held  there  till  the  order  should  be  given  to 
let  it  go.  The  quarter-master  had  a  match  in  hia 
hand  to  light  the  fireworks.  Over  on  my  right  I 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    SMART  EOF.  26& 

could  now  see  the  little  steamer,  rising  and  falling 
on  the  long  swells  of  the  placid,  moonlit  ocean. 

"Light  up,  Murray!"  called  the  officer,  when  the 
despatch  boat  was  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
steamer. 

The  blue-light  hissed  and  flared  up  when  the  match 
Was  applied,  shedding  its  livid  glare  upon  the  weath 
er-stained  faces  of  the  seamen. 

"  Over  with  it ! "  shouted  the  officer. 

It  soused  into  the  water,  and  I  leaned  forward  to 
observe  the  splash. 

«  Stand  by  the  fore-braces !  "  called  the  officer ;  and 
the  seamen  rushed  forward  to  execute  the  order. 

At  that  moment  I  heard  a  step  behind  me  on  the 
deck ;  but  I  was  too  much  absorbed  in  watching  the 
blue-light  on  the  barrel  to  heed  anything  else.  The 
next  instant  I  found  myself  spinning  through  the 
air,  and  then  plunging  deep  down  into  the  bosom  of 
the  tranquil  sea.  I  was  in  my  element  now,  though 
it  was  rather  too  much  element;  but  I  struck  out, 
as  soon  as  I  rose  to  the  surface,  for  the  blue-light. 
I  shouted  for  help ;  but  the  great  steamer  seemed  to 
be  hard  of  hearing,  and  went  on  her  way  as  though 


270  SEEK  AND  Fnro,  OR 

nothing  had  happened.  I  swam  as  I  had  never 
swum  before,  and  reached  the  barrel  just  as  the  de 
spatch  boat  stopped  her  wheels  to  pick  it  up. 

"  Steamer  ahoy  ! "  I  shouted 

"  Who's   there  ? "  called  a  voice  from  her  deck. 

"  Man  overboard ! "  I  replied,  puffing  from  the  vio 
lence  of  my  exertions. 

"Where  away?" 

"On  the  ban-el." 

"  I  see  him ! "  said  one  of  the  hands,  as  the  bow  of 
the  boat  ran  up  to  the  barrel. 

A  rope  was  thrown  to  me,  and  I  was  assisted  on 
board. 

•'  What's  the  matter  ?  Did  you  fall  overboard 
from  the  steamer  ? "  asked  a  well-dressed,  gentleman 
ly  man,  on  the  deck  of  the  boat. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  suppose  I  did ;  I  don't  know  exactly 
how  it  happened,"  I  replied,  spitting  the  salt  water 
out  of  my  mouth. 

"You  are  fortunate  to  fall  over  just  as  the  de 
spatch  boat  was  approaching  you." 

"Probably  I  shouldn't  have  fallen  overboard  if  I 
had  not  been  watching  the  barrel  so  intently." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A   SMART    BOY.  271 

"What  shall  we  do  for  yon?"  asked  the  gentle^ 
man,  kindly.  "  Come  into  the  cabin,  and  get  your 
wet  clothes  off." 

The  crew  of  the  steamer  were  busy  getting  in  the 
barrel,  and  my  new  friend,  who  was  full  of  sympa 
thy,  conducted  me  to  the  cabin,  where  I  divested  my 
self  of  a  portion  of  my  clothing.  By  this  time  the 
despatches  had  been  secured,  and  the  captain  came 
below.  He  gave  me  a  flannel  shirt  and  a  pair  of 
trowsers,  and  sent  me  to  his  state-room  to  put  them 
on.  I  was  very  much  alarmed  about  the  safety  of 
the  contents  of  my  money-belt ;  but,  on  removing  it, 
I  found  that  the  oiled  silk,  in  which  the  bank  notes 
and  the  papers  had  been  enclosed  to  prevent  the 
perspiration  of  my  body  from  injuring  them,  had  pro 
tected  them  in  a  great  measure.  A  few  drops  of 
water  had  penetrated  through  the  folds  of  the  silk, 
but  no  harm  was  done  to  the  documents  or  the 
money. 

I  wrung  out  the  belt  and  put  it  on  again,  after  I 
had  wiped  myself  dry.  Clothing  myself  in  the  flan 
nel  shirt  and  pants,  both  of  which  were  "  a  mile  too 
big  for  me,"  I  retained  to  the  cabin.  The  captain 


272  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OB 

then  carried  all  my  clothes  to  the  furnace-room  to  be 
dried,  just  as  the  boat  stopped  at  Crookhaven  to 
land  the  despatches. 

"I  suppose  you  would  like  to  follow  the  steamer, 
young  man,"  said  the  gentleman  who  had  been  so 
kind  to  me. 

"  Very  much,  indeed ! "  I  replied,  eagerly ;  for  I 
feared  that  the  accident  would  render  my  mission  to 
England  fruitless. 

"You  are  extremely  fortunate  again,"  added  he. 
"This  steamer  is  to  proceed  to  Kinsale  with  me  im 
mediately." 

Mr.  Carmichael,  the  gentleman  who  addressed  me, 
proved  to  be  an  agent  of  the  telegraph  company, 
who  had  come  down  to  this  station  to  look  after  its 
affairs.  His  business  was  finished,  and  he  was  in  a 
hurry  to  reach  London ;  but  it  was  twenty  miles,  by 
a  rough  and  tiresome  road,  to  any  public  convey 
ance,  and  the  steamer  had  been  placed  at  his  dis 
posal.  He  told  me  he  should  have  gone  the  day 
before,  but  the  boat  was  required  to  be  on  the  watch 
for  the  despatches. 

"I  hope  to  reach    Kinsale  in  time    for  the  nine 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  273 

o'clock  train  to  Cork,"  said  he.  "  If  we  do,  you  will 
not  be  much  behind  the  steamer.  Had  you  any 
friends  on  board  ? " 

"Yes,  sir,  one  gentleman,"  I  replied. 

"  Of  course  he  will  be  troubled  about  you.  Per 
haps  you  would  like  to  telegraph  to  him." 

I  was  pleased  with  this  suggestion,  for  I  felt  that 
I  had  one  good  friend  on  board  of  the  ship  who 
would  worry  about  me  in  the  morning,  when  my 
absence  was  discovered.  Knowing  that  Mr.  Solo 
mons  intended  to  stay  at  the  Washington  Hotel  in 
Liverpool,  if  he  had  to  wait  for  a  train,  and  at 
Morley'a  in  London  while  in  the  metropolis,  I  wrote 
a  brief  despatch,  to  be  forwarded  to  each,  which 
Mr.  Carmichael  sent  to  the  office.  The  steamer  then 
proceeded  on  her  trip  to  Kmsale,  at  three  o'clock. 

I  was  very  grateful  to  Mr.  Carmichael  and  the 
captain  for  their  kindness  to  me,  and  I  did  not  fail 
to  express  my  obligations  in  the  strongest  terms.  A 
berth  in  the  cabin  was  assigned  to  me,  and  as  the 
run  to  Kinsale  would  occupy  between  five  and  six 
hours,  I  turned  in  to  finish  my  nap.  I  was  too 

much  excited  to  sleep,  and  I  could  not  help  thinking 

18 


274  SEEK   AND    FIND,    OK 

of  what  had  happened  to  me.  I  had  never  done 
such  a  thing  as  to  fall  overboard  without  some  help. 
Though  I  was  not  positive,  I  had  a  very  strong  im 
pression  that  I  had  felt  something  on  my  back,  while 
watching  the  blue-light  on  the  ban-el.  Whether  it 
had  been  the  swaying  of  the  signal  halyards  against 
me,  or  the  push  of  a  human  hand,  I  was  not  cer 
tain  ;  but  I  could  not  help  believing  that  E.  Dunks- 
well  had  helped  me  to  my  involuntary  bath.  I 
don't  know  now,  but  I  still  believe  it. 

I  had  no  doubt  he  had  been  instructed  by  Tom 
Thornton  to  see  Bunyard  before  I  did.  Whether 
the  villain  intended  to  drown  me,  or  only  to  delay 
my  arrival  in  London,  I  have  no  means  of  knowing. 
Doubtless  he  intended  to  land  at  Queenstown,  and 
get  to  London  eight  or  ten  hours  before  the  passen 
gers  who  proceeded  to  Liverpool  in  the  steamer.  I 
went  to  sleep  at  last,  satisfied  that  I  was  again  the 
victim  of  a  conspiracy.  But  when  I  was  awakened 
at  half  past  eight,  in  Kinsale  harbor,  I  was  also  sat 
isfied  that  the  way  of  the  wicked  shall  not  prosper. 

My  clothes,  thoroughly  dried,  were  brought  to  me, 
and  I  dressed  myself  in  season  to  land  for  the  train 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    S3JABT    DOY.  275 

for  Cork,  where  we  arrived  as  soon  as  the  mails  and 
those  of  the  passengers  who  landed  there.  I  break 
fasted  with  Mr.  Carmichael  at  the  Royal  Victoria, 
and  at  twenty  minutes  of  eleven  wre  took  the  train 
for  Dublin,  where  we  arrived  at  half  past  three. 
Though  I  made  diligent  search  among  the  passen 
gers,  I  could  not  find  E.  Dunkswell,  and  I  concluded 
that  he  had  gone  to  Liverpool  in  the  steamer.  In 
the  evening  I  took  the  train  for  Kingstown,  where  I 
embarked  in  the  steamer  for  Holyhead,  at  which 
place  I  again  took  a  train,  and  at  seven  o'clock  on 
Saturday  morning  was  at  Morley's,  in  London,  at 
least  eight  hours  before  my  fellow- voyagers  could 
arrive. 

After  I  had  breakfasted,  I  took  the  Bunyard  letter 
from  my  money-belt,  and  hastened  to  find  Old  Jewry 


276  SEEK    A>TD    FIND,    OB 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

IK   WHICH   ERNEST    VISITS    STONY    STRATFORD,   AND 
E.   DUNKSWELL   COMES    TO    GRIEF. 

TlHOUGH  I  was  in  a  strange  land,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  wonders  of  the  Old  "World,  I  had 
but  little  curiosity  to  see  the  grand  sights  which 
London  can  present.  I  had  been  whirled  through 
Ireland,  Wales,  and  England  to  the  great  metropolis, 
part  of  the  time  by  daylight ;  and  though  I  had  kept 
my  eyes  wide  open,  I  realized  that  my  mission  was 
higher  and  grander  than  studying  landscapes,  and 
wandering  through  the  vaulted  arches  of  old  cathe 
drals. 

When  Mr.  Carmichael  told  me,  early  in  the  morn 
ing,  that  I  was  in  England,  the  thought  that  I  was 
in  the  same  country  with  my  mother  thrilled  me 
with  delight,  which,  however,  was  not  unmingled  with 
apprehension  lest  I  should  seek  and  not  find ;  lest 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  277 

disease  and  death  had  robbed  me  of  her  I  sought. 
At  the  station  in  Suston  Square  I  had  parted  with 
the  telegraph  agent,  with  many  thanks  for  his  kind 
ness.  I  took  his  address,  hoping  that  at  some  future 
time  I  might  be  able  to  reciprocate  the  attention  he 
had  bestowed  upon  me.  I  may  as  well  say  here  that 
Mr.  Carmichael  afterwards  came  to  the  Waited  States, 
and  that  I  helped  him  to  a  situation  which  paid  him 
ten  times  the  salary  he  had  ever  before  received, 
when  he  was  as  grateful  to  me  as  I  had  been  to 
him. 

Morley's  Hotel  is  in  Trafalgar  Square,  at  one  end 
of  the  Strand.  I  had  looked  up  Old  Jewry  in  the 
Post-office  Directory.  The  hall  porter  of  the  hotel 
had  given  me  general  directions,  and  I  walked  out 
into  the  Strand,  and  took  an  omnibus  with  the  word 
"  Bank "  painted  on  it.  On  the  top  of  the  London 
omnibus  there  is  a  double  seat  along  the  middle,  on 
which  the  passengers  sit  facing  the  buildings  on  each 
Bide  of  the  street.  I  occupied  one  of  these  places. 
The  Bank  of  England  was  my  objective  point,  for 
Old  Jewry  was  near  it.  I  passed  St.  Paul's,  whose 
toweling  height  and  blackened  walls  I  recognized, 


278  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

and  entered  Cheapside  —  a  name  which  sounded  quite 
familiar  to  me.  I  descended  from  my  perch  when 
the  omnibus  stopped,  and  after  several  inquiries  found 
the  place  I  sought. 

Old  Jewry  was  nothing  but  a  narrow  lane,  and  I 
had  no  difficulty  in  finding  the  number  of  Mr.  Bun- 
yard's  office.  I  followed  his  name,  repeated  on  the 
walls,  up  three  flights  of  stairs ;  and  by  the  time  I 
had  reached  the  third  floor,  I  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  my  uncle's  agent  was  a  person  of  no  great  con 
sequence.  He  was  fortunately  in  his  room,  a  little 
apartment  ten  feet  square,  with  no  furniture  but  a 
desk  and  two  chairs.  Mr.  Bunyard  was  a  man  of 
fifty  or  more.  He  stopped  writing  when  I  entered, 
and  looked  at  me. 

u  Mr.  Bunyard  ? "  I  asked,  as  politely  as  I  could, 
while  my  heart  leaped  with  emotion. 

"The  same,"  replied  he. 

I  handed  him  the  letter,  which  he  opened  at  once. 
He  took  from  it  a  bill  of  exchange,  which  seemed  to 
light  up  his  face  with  satisfaction. 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  hear  from  my  friend  Mr. 
Thornton.  I  hope  he  is  quite  well.  He  does  not 


THE    ADVENTUBES    OF    A    SMAKT    BOY.  279 

mention  the  bearer  of  this  letter,"  continued  the 
agent,  bestowing  an  inquiring  look  upon  me. 

"  He  was  not  aware,  when  he  wrote  the  letter,  that 
I  should  be  the  bearer  of  it,"  I  replied,  evasively. 
"My  name  is  Thornton." 

"  I  am  happy  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Thornton,"  he 
added. 

"  How  is  Mrs.  Thornton  now  ? "  I  inquired,  boldly, 
though  my  heart  almost  sank  within  me,  when  I  put 
the  question. 

He  looked  at  me  —  appeared  to  hesitate ;  but  a 
glance  at  the  letter  and  the  bill  of  exchange  I  had 
brought  apparently  reassured  him.  Doubtless  he  con 
cluded,  as  I  supposed  he  would,  that  it  was  all  right, 
since  I  came  directly  from  his  employer,  and  was  the 
bearer  of  a  payment  to  him. 

"Mrs.  Thornton  is  quite  as  well  as  usual,"  he  re 
plied. 

"I  wish  to  see  her,"  I  continued,  squarely. 

"Did  your  father  desire  you  to  see  her?"  he 
asked,  doubtfully. 

"  Of  course  he  did,"  I  answered,  which  was  quite 
true,  though  my  conscience  charged  me  with  deceiv- 


280  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

ing  him.  "I  wish  to  make  an  arrangement  with 
her." 

"  Indeed  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  It  would  be  proper  that  any  arrangement  with 
her  should  be  made  through  me,"  he  added,  cau 
tiously. 

"  Of  course,  the  actual  business  will  be  done 
through  you,"  I  replied,  magnanimously. 

"  Certainly  it  should  be,  for  I  have  served  Mr. 
Thornton  very  faithfully  for  many  years  in  this 
matter,  and  at  a  very  reasonable  compensation." 

"  I  know  that  he  appreciates  your  devotion,  and  is 
willing  to  do  the  right  thing  by  you,"  I  continued  at 
a  venture ;  and  I  thought  there  was  no  harm  in 
committing  my  uncle  to  a  liberal  policy. 

"  I  have  been  paid  only  one  hundred  pound  a  year 
for  my  services,  and  that  only  for  a  brief  period. 
Really  I  must  insist,  before  you  see  the  poor  lady, 
that  you  should  explain  your  business  with  her." 

"My  time  is  short,"  I  replied,  rather  bruskly.  "I 
wish  to  know  for  what  sum,  cash  down,  you  will 
terminate  your  relations  with  the  lady." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    EOT.  281 

u  That  will  require  some  consideration,"  replied  he, 
apparently  pleased  with  the  idea. 

"Of  course  your  client  in  this  matter  is  entirely 
in  your  power.  He  cannot  shake  you  off,  and  what, 
ever  arrangement  is  made  with  the  lady  shall  be 
done  through  you.  Now,  if  you  will  give  me  her 
address,  I  will  go  and  see  her,  and  in  the  mean  time 
you  can  make  up  your  estimate  of  the  sum  that 
ought  to  be  paid  to  you,"  I  said,  with  the  most  busi 
ness-like  air  I  could  assume. 

"  I  will  do  it,"  replied  he,  after  some  hesitation ; 
and  he  wrote  the  address  on  a  piece  of  paper. 

How  eagerly  I  took  it !  I  felt  then  that  the  bat 
tle  had  been  fought  and  won.  On  the  paper  was 
written :  "  Mrs.  Thornton,  Stony  Stratford,  Bucks. 
Inquire  for  Mrs.  Challis."  My  business  with  Mr.  Bun- 
yard  was  done,  and  I  hastened  away,  though  he  in 
sisted  upon  my  remaining  longer.  I  think  he  was 
sorry  he  had  given  me  the  address  before  I  left  the 
room. 

Being  near  the  banker's,  I  drew  fifty  pounds,  which 
was  paid  without  question. 

I  went  back  to  Morley's,  and  ascertained  that  Stony 


282  SEEK    AJS'D    FIND,    OK 

Stratford  was  on  the  road  to  Rugby,  and  that  I  must 
leave  the  train  at  Wolverton  station.  I  called  a  Han 
som  cab,  and  reached  Euston  Square  depot  just  in 
time  for  the  train.  I  will  not  attempt  to  describe 
the  emotions  which  agitated  me  as  I  sped  over  the 
country.  I  was  on  the  point  of  meeting  my  mother, 
and  though  the  rich  panorama  of  an  English  land 
scape  was  passing  before  me,  I  could  think  of  nothing 
else.  In  two  hours  I  reached  the  Wolverton  station, 
and  there  learned  that  it  was  four  and  a  half  miles 
to  Stony  Stratford.  I  engaged  a  team  to  take  me 
over.  My  driver  inquired  till  he  found  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Challis.  It  was  a  small  and  mean  dwelling, 
and  I  began  to  feel  indignant  that  my  mother  was 
compelled  to  live  in  such  a  place.  My  knock,  under 
the  influence  of  this  feeling,  was  a  very  decided  one. 

"Is  Mrs.  Thornton  at  home?"  I  inquired  —  my 
utterance  almost  choked  by  agitation  —  of  the  woman 
who  came  to  the  door. 

"  She  is,  but  she  don't  see  any  one,"  replied  the 
woman,  sourly,  as  she  abruptly  closed  the  door  in 
my  face. 

I  rapped  again,  and  my  knuckles  not  proving  suf 
ficient,  I  used  my  boot. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  283 

u  You  can't  see  Mrs.  Thornton ! "  snarled  the 
woman,  angrily,  as  she  opened  the  door  a  little 
crack. 

"  I  can  and  will ! "  I  replied.  "  Mr.  Bunyard  sent 
me." 

"  O,  did  he  ? "  she  added,  opening  the  door. 

"  Here's  the  paper  he  gave  me." 

She  looked  at  it,  and  invited  me  to  enter.  My 
limbs  trembled  under  me  as  I  walked  into  the 
room. 

"Mrs.  Thornton  is  out  in  the  garden,  but  I  will 
call  her,"  said  Mrs.  Challis  —  or  I  supposed  it  was  she. 

"Never  mind  calling  her.  I  will  see  her  in  the 
garden,"  I  added,  going  out  of  the  back  door,  which 
was  open,  without  waiting  for  the  woman's  permis 
sion. 

"Walking  in  the  back  part  of  the  garden  I  discov 
ered  a  lady,  thin  and  pale,  dressed  in  coarse  but 
neat  garments.  It  was  my  mother.  I  could  hard 
ly  control  myself.  My  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  1 
looked  at  her. 

"Mrs.  Thornton?"  I  asked,  tremblingly. 

"  I  am  Mrs.  Thornton,"  replied  she,  gazing  curious 
ly  at  me. 


284  SEEK    AND    FIXD,    OR 

"  I  suppose  you  know  Amos  Thornton  ?  "  I  contin 
ued,  not  daring  to  tell  her  who  I  was. 

"To  my  sorrow  I  do,"  she  replied,  shaking  her 
head. 

"  I  have  heard  that  you  had  a  son." 

"  He  is  gone  —  why  do  you  ask  ? ' 

«  Gone  ?  " 

"He  is  dead,"  said  she,  sadly. 

"  Are  you  sure  ?  " 

"For  a  long  time  I  would  not  believe  it." 

"  I  think  it  is  a  mistake." 

Her  chest  heaved  with  emotion,  and  the  tears 
flowed  down  her  pale  cheek.  She  gazed  at  me 
a  moment,  and  then  threw  her  arms  around  my 
neck. 

"  You  are  my  son  —  I  know  you  are ! "  sobbed  she. 

"  My  mother ! "  was  all  I  could  say ;  and  we  wept 
for  many  minutes  in  silence,  closely  folded  in  each 
other's  amis. 

When  I  raised  my  head,  Mrs.  Challis  was  standing 
by  us.  She  had  a  troubled  look,  as  though  she 
feared  something  had  gone  wrong. 

"  What  does  all  this  mean  ? "  she  asked ;  but  nei 
ther  of  us  took  any  notice  of  her. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  285 

"  I  have  hoped  all  the  time  that  you  were  not 
dead,"  said  my  mother,  smiling  through  her  tears. 

"  I  must  return  to  London  immediately,  and  you 
must  go  with  me,  mother,"  I  continued. 

"  To  London  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Challis.  "  Indeed 
she  must  not  go  to  London ! " 

" Indeed  she  must! "  I  added,  as  decidedly  as  though 
I  meant  to  break  through  a  stone  wall,  if  need  be. 
"  Get  ready  as  quick  as  you  can,  mother,  for  there 
is  not  more  than  time  enough  for  us  to  reach  the 
station." 

"  I  say  she  cannot  go ! "  interposed  Mrs.  Challis. 

"And  I  say  she  can  and  shall!  Get  your  clothes, 
mother." 

"There  is  three  pound  five  due  for  her  board," 
added  the  landlady. 

"  Give  me  the  bill,  and  I  will  pay  it." 

My  mother  seemed  to  be  bewildered,  but  I  led  her 
to  the  house,  and  urged  her  to  prepare  for  her  jour 
ney.  Mrs.  Challis,  after  I  had  paid  her  bill,  contin 
ued  to  object  to  the  departure  of  her  boarder.  I  told 
her  if  she  wished  to  keep  out  of  trouble,  the  less  she 
said,  the  better  it  would  be  for  her.  My  poor  mother 


286  SEEK   AND    FLND,   OK 

had  been  so  long  a  prisoner,  that  she  was  confused 
by  the  sudden  change  in  her  prospects.  I  went  into 
her  room,  and  assisted  her  in  packing  her  meagre 
wardrobe.  She  had  put  on  a  well-worn  black  silk 
dress,  and  an  antiquated  bonnet  lay  on  the  table.  I 
told  her  to  take  only  such  clothing  as  she  would 
need  immediately,  for  I  saw  that  most  of  her  wear- 
ing  apparel  was  not  worth  the  transportation.  Hav 
ing  thrust  these  articles  into  a  carpet-bag,  I  hurried 
her  out  of  the  house  to  the  carriage  which  was  wait 
ing  for  me  at  the  door. 

We  reached  the  station  in  time  for  the  London 
train.  My  mother  was  excited,  and  I  did  not  permit 
her  to  speak  of  the  past.  I  kept  up  a  lively  conver 
sation,  and  did  not  allow  her  to  think  of  her  wrongs 
and  her  sorrows.  On  our  arrival,  we  went  to  Mor- 
ley's,  where  I  obtained  a  room  for  her.  Mr.  Solo 
mons  had  just  arrived.  He  had  received  the  telegraph 
ic  despatch  in  Liverpool.  I  hastily  told  him  my  story, 
and  what  I  had  done  since  my  arrival  in  London. 

"  My  dear  boy ! "  exclaimed  he,  "  you  have  done 
wonders.  I  was  sure  you  were  lost  overboard.  No 
one  had  seen  you,  or  heard  anything  of  you;  only 


THE    ADVENTURES    OP    A    SMART   BOY.  287 

the   officers   and   sailors   had  warned   you  not  to   sit 
on  the  rail." 

X 

"Where  is  Dunkswell?"  I  asked. 

"He  came  to  London  in  the  same  train  I  did." 

At  my  request  Mr.  Solomons  accompanied  me  to 
the  office  of  Bunyard.  When  we  entered,  Dunks- 
well  was  there.  Both  of  them  had  found  out  that 
"  somebody  "  was  smart. 

"  Young  man,  you  have  deceived  me ! "  said  Bun- 
yard,  savagely. 

"  The  wicked  deceiveth  himself,"  I  replied,  in  words 
better  than  my  own.  "  I  have  called  to  say  that 
you  need  give  yourself  no  further  trouble  in  regard 
to  Mrs.  Thornton.  I  wish  to  tell  you  now  that  she 
is  in  London,  and  that  she  is  my  mother." 

"I  must  be  paid  —  " 

"  Paid !  "  I  interposed.  "  I'll  pay  you !  We  are  not 
far  from  Newgate,  and  if  my  mother  is  willing,  I  will 
help  you  to  lodgings  there.  As  for  you,  E.  Dunks- 
well,  you  can  go  back  to  Tom  Thornton,  and  tell 
him  you  have  burnt  your  fingers.  You  helped  me 
overboard." 

"I!"  exclaimed  he,  with  quivering  lip. 


388  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OB 

"Did  he?"  asked  Mr.  Solomons. 

"I  believe  he  did;  perhaps  I  can  prove  it." 

E.  Dunkswell  sank  into  a  chair,  pale  as  a  ghost. 
Bunyard  looked  cheap,  and  said  no  more  about  be 
ing  paid,  and  I  retired  from  the  presence  of  my  de 
feated  foes.  Mr.  Solomons  insisted  that  they  should 
be  punished,  especially  Dunkswell,  but  I  told  him  I 
could  not  prove  that  he  had  pushed  me  overboard ; 
and  I  could  not  stay  in  London  long  enough  to  fol 
low  up  the  criminal.  I  engaged  passage  in  the  Sat 
urday  steamer  for  my  mother  and  myself  before  re 
turning  to  the  hotel. 

We  remained  four  days  in  London,  during  which 
time  I  kept  my  mother's  mind  fully  occupied  in  re- 
plenishing  her  wardrobe. 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF    A   SMART  BOY.  289 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

IN  WHICH  ERNEST  RETURNS  TO  PARKVILLE  WITH  HIS 
MOTHER,  AND  THE  STORY  ENDS  ON  THE  SHORES 
OF  LAKE  ADIENO. 

IF  E.  Dunkswell  had  not  helped  me  overboard, 
as  I  think  he  did,  he  might  have  reached  Lon 
don  before  I  did,  and  thus  defeated  me,  at  least  for 
a  time.  Twice  had  he  confused  and  confounded  his 
own  schemes.  Bunyard,  deceived  by  the  letter  I  had 
brought  from  my  uncle,  gave  me  the  address  of  my 
mother.  If  not  before,  he  learned  his  blunder  when 
Dunkswell  arrived.  I  could  fancy  the  confusion  with 
which  they  confronted  each  other  when  the  facts 
came  out.  But  it  was  "  all  up "  with  them.  They 
had  been  "whipped  out,"  and  I  was  satisfied.  I 
did  not  wish  to  prosecute  them,  because  it  would 
delay  me,  and  because  it  would  expose  our  family 
affairs,  and  subject  my  mother  to  more  excitement 
than  she  could  bear. 
19 


290  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OR 

She  was  weak  and  nervous,  and  I  did  not  encour 
age  her  to  talk  much  of  the  past.  I  went  with  her 
to  Westminster  Abbey,  the  Tower  of  London,  and 
other  places  with  which  she  was  familiar.  On  Fri 
day  afternoon  we  bade  adieu  to  Mr.  Solomons,  and 
went  to  Liverpool.  My  mother  was  now  entirely 
changed  in  appeai'ance.  She  had  laid  aside  her 
worn-out  black  silk  and  her  unfashionable  bonnet. 
She  looked  like  a  lady,  and  she  was  one.  I  was 
proud  of  her.  The  future  was  now  full  of  hope  and 
joy  to  me,  and  I  was  the  happiest  young  man  in  the 
world. 

On  Saturday  we  sailed  for  home.  My  mother 
seemed  then  to  feel  that  she  was  out  of  the  reach 
of  the  enemy  who  had  persecuted  her  for  so  many 
years.  She  overcame  her  nervousness,  and  her 
strength  increased  every  day.  I  had  purchased  a 
rocking-chair  in  Liverpool  for  her  use  on  the  hur 
ricane  deck,  and  every  pleasant  day  we  sat  together 
there.  On  these  clays  my  mother  told  me  what  she 
had  suffered.  I  had  not  permitted  her  to  do  so 
before,  anxious  as  I  was  to  learn  the  facts.  I  will 
state  them  briefly,  as  I  derived  them  from  these 
conversations. 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A    SMART    BOY.  291 

My  mother  was  born  in  Paris  of  English  parents, 
but  both  of  them  died  before  she  was  eighteen.  She 
was  well  educated,  and  being  left  without  any  means 
of  support,  she  became  a  governess  in  an  American 
family  residing  in  the  city.  Here  my  father  made 
her  acquaintance,  and  married  her.  They  lived  in 
Philadelphia  three  years,  and  I  was  born  there. 
When  I  was  two  years  old,  my  mother's  only  rela 
tive,  a  bachelor  uncle,  died  in  London,  leaving  a  con 
siderable  estate.  She  was  notified  that  a  portion  of 
the  property  would  go  to  her  by  will.  My  father's 
health  was  poor,  and  he  had  decided  to  take  up 
his  residence  for  a  few  years  in  the  south  of  France, 
and  my  mother's  affairs  induced  him  to  hasten  his 
departure. 

Leaving  his  property  in  the  hands  of  his  brother 
Amos,  he  sailed  for  Europe,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  son.  On  his  arrival  in  London  he  found  the 
affairs  of  my  mother's  uncle  in  great  confusion.  An 
other  will  had  been  produced,  in  which  my  mother's 
name  was  not  mentioned.  My  father  believed  there 
Was  fraud,  or  that  the  second  will  had  been  made 
under  illegal  pressure,  and  he  contested  it  The  pro- 


292  SEEK   AND   FIND,    OK 

ceedings  detained  him  in  London  a  year ;  at  the  end 
of  which  time,  having  lost  the  case,  his  health  was 
entirely  broken  down  by  fatigue  and  excitement. 
Conscious  that  he  should  not  live  to  return  to  his 
native  land,  he  sent  for  his  brother  Amos,  to  assist 
him  in  settling  his  worldly  affairs.  The  will  was 
made,  and  he  died. 

His  death  was  a  terrible  blow  to  my  mother,  and 
being  of  a  very  sensitive  nature,  it  affected  her  rea 
son.  She  became  insane,  and  Amos  sent  her  to  a 
private  asylum,  within  a  month  after  my  father's 
funeral.  Until  this  time,  probably,  the  brother  had 
no  intention  of  defrauding  her  and  her  son.  Amos 
had  all  the  property  of  my  father  in  his  own  hands. 
The  temptation  was  great,  and  finding  that  my 
mother's  health  did  not  improve,  he  decided  to  re 
turn  to  America,  with  his  son  Thomas,  who  accom 
panied  him,  taking  me  with  him  in  charge  of  a 
nurse.  The  care  of  my  mother  was  left  to  Mr. 
Bunyard,  who  was  to  pay  her  bills.  My  mother 
was  the  inmate  of  the  asylum  for  two  years,  though 
she  was  cured  in  less  than  one. 

She   was    discharged,   and  Mr.   Bunyard   con  f eyed 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  293 

her  to  a  small  village  in  Hampshire,  assuring  her  that 
Amos  would  come  for  her  soon ;  but  year  after  year 
she  hoped  to  see  her  son,  till  she  was  told  that  he 
was  dead.  Her  residence  was  changed  every  two  or 
three  years,  for  what  reason  she  did  not  know;  but 

• 

every  time  it  was  for  the  worse,  until  her  food, 
clothing,  and  accommodations  were  not  better  than 
those  of  the  poorest  class.  I  readily  perceived  that 
it  was  to  enable  Mr.  Bunyard  to  make  more  money 
out  of  his  victim,  by  paying  less  for  her  board.  My 
uncle  sent  him  two  hundred  pounds  a  year,  but  he 
did  not  spend  fifty  upon  her. 

My  mother  was  never  allowed  to  have  any  money, 
and  could  not  help  herself.  She  was  continually  told 
that  her  mind  was  disordered,  especially  when  she 
spoke  of  her  husband's  property  and  her  son. 

This  was  the  substance  of  my  mother's  story,  and 
I  readily  supplied  what  was  wanting.  My  uncle  had 
gone  with  me  to  the  cottage  on  Lake  Adieno,  and 
Tom  Thornton  had  taken  possession  of  the  property. 
The  will  had  simply  been  kept  out  of  sight. 

"Mother,  you  are  safe  now,"  was  my  oft-repeate^ 
remark  to  her. 


294  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OR 

"I  know  that  I  am;  and  I  thank  God  for  giving 
me  such  a  noble  and  devoted  son,"  was  her  reply. 

We  enjoyed  every  day  of  the  passage  in  talking 
over  the  past  and  the  future.  I  told  her  everything 
I  had  ever  done  and  said  with  the  utmost  minute 
ness.  1  described  my  life  at  the  cottage,  my  excur 
sions  on  the  lake,  all  my  friends,  and  related  the 
history  of  "Breaking  Away."  In  twelve  days  we 
reached  New  York.  As  soon  as  we  had  taken 
rooms  at  a  hotel,  I  hastened  with  my  mother  to  see 
Kate  Loraine. 

"  O,  Ernest  Thornton !  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you ! " 
exclaimed  she. 

"My  mother,  Kate,"  I  replied  proudly. 

"  I  am  so  delighted ! "  cried  Kate,  seizing  her  hand. 
"  Now  you  must  tell  me  all  about  it,  Ernest  Thorn 
ton." 

I  told  her  all  about  it,  and  she  wondered,  ejacu 
lated,  and  wept. 

u  Mrs.  Thornton,  your  son  is  the  best  boy  in  all  the 
world,  and  I  love  him — I  love  him  as  though  he 
were  my  own  brother,"  said  she,  warmly. 

"  I  am  very  proud  of  him,"  replied  my  mother,  as 
•ho  smiled  upon  me. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   EOT.  295 

"All  right,"  I  added,  feeling  my  cheeks  glow. 
"What  has  happened,  Kate,  since  I  went  away." 

"  Mr.  Windleton  has  returned,  and  Uncle  Freeman 
is  to  be  my  guardian.  He  had  a  very  disagreeable 
meeting  with  Mrs.  Loraine,  but  she  cannot  help  her 
self." 

We  spent  the  evening  at  the  house,  and  the  next 
day  we  started  for  Parkville.  How  my  heart  beat 
when  the  carriage  in  which  we  rode  over  from  Ro- 
mer  passed  the  cottage  of  my  uncle !  "We  went  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Hale  first. 

"Bob,  my  dear  fellow!"  I  exclaimed,  when  he 
entered  the  room ;  and  in  spite  of  boyish  prejudices 
against  the  operation,  I  could  not  help  hugging  him. 
"My  mother,  Bob,"  I  added,  before  he  had  time 
to  say  anything. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Ernest  —  upon  my  word  I 
am.  I  am  happy  to  meet  you,"  he  added,  bowing 
to  my  mother. 

She  took  his  hand,  and  told  him  she  knew  him  aa 
her  son's  best  friend.  Mr.  Hale  soon  made  his  ap- 
pearance,  and  gave  us  a  hearty  welcome.  He  said 
some  very  pleasant  things  to  me,  which  my  modesty 


296  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OB 

will  not  permit  me  to  repeat,  though  I  have  shamed 
that  quality  sometimes  in  this  memoir.  We  talked  of 
business  then.  I  told  him  I  did  not  wish  to  injure 
my  uncle,  however  much  he  had  injured  my  mother 
and  myself. 

"  Your  uncle  is  evidently  under  the  influence  of  hia 
son,"  added  Mr.  Hale,  "  and  it  may  be  necessary  to 
take  some  decided  steps." 

"You  are  a  lawyer,  sir,  and  I  leave  the  matter 
entirely  with  you ;  but  I  hope  you  will  make  it  as 
easy  as  you  can  for  uncle  Amos,  for  I  am  pretty 
sure  Tom  is  the  author  of  the  mischief." 

"  Our  action  must  depend  upon  the  position  they 
take.  It  is  best  for  us  to  see  your  uncle  without 
delay.  If  Tom  hears  of  your  arrival,  he  may  take 
the  money  and  leave  the  country.  It  will  be  well 
for  you  to  see  him  first;  I  will  follow  you  soon," 
said  Mr.  Hale. 

I  procured  a  carryall  at  the  stable,  and  drove  my 
mother  to  the  cottage.  Old  Betsey  was  delighted  to 
see  me.  Leaving  my  mother  in  the  parlor,  I  went 
to  the  door  of  my  uncle's  library  and  knocked. 

"Ernest!"  exclaimed  he,  starting  back. 

"Yes,  sir;  I  have  come  to  see  you." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  297 

"But  — "  He  paused,  his  lips  quivered,  and  his 
frame  trembled. 

"  You  are  not  glad  to  see  me  ? "  I  added. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  —  more  so  than  you 
can  think.  But  how  is  it  I  see  you?  Thomas  told 
me  you  started  for  England,  and  was  lost  overboard 
on  the  passage." 

"  Did  he  tell  you  that  ?  "  I  demanded,  astonished ; 
and  I  saw  at  once  that  E.  Dunkswell,  on  the  arri 
val  of  the  steamer  at  Queenstown,  where  a  letter 
could  be  mailed,  had  written  to  his  employer. 

And  Tom  Thornton  at  that  moment  believed  I 
was  lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  no  more  to  disturb 
him,  or  threaten  his  ill-gotten  possessions.  I  told  my 
uncle  that  my  life  had  been  preserved. 

"  Thank  God !  "  said  he,  so  earnestly  that  I  believed 
he  was  sincere.  "I  feared  that  Thomas,  through  his 
agent,  had  committed  a  crime  greater  than  mine." 

"  If  the  intention  makes  the  crime,  I  think  he  did 
commit  it.  Where  is  Tom  Thornton  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  He  is  here  to-day,"  replied  my  uncle,  going  to 
the  window  and  calling  his  son,  who  was  walking 
by  the  lake.  "You  have  been  to  England,  Ernest?" 


298  SEEK    AFD    FIND,    OR 

He  trembled  all  over,  and  I  pitied  him. 

"I  have,  sir." 

"  It  was  needless  for  you  to  go  there.  If  you  had 
listened  to  me  —  " 

"It  was  not  needless.  My  mother  is  in  the  parlor 
now." 

"  Your  mother ! "  gasped  he,  springing  from  his 
chair,  and  then  falling  back  again. 

"You  shall  see  her." 

"No  — no,  Ernest!" 

There  was  a  knock  at  the  door.  I  opened  it,  and 
Tom  Thornton  entered.  He  saw  me,  and  turned  pale. 
His  victim  had  risen  from  the  depths  of  the  ocean 
to  confront  him. 

"Ah,  Ernest,"  stammered  he. 

"I  am  here.  E.  Dunkswell  was  a  fool  as  well  as 
a  knave." 

"  "What  shall  be  done  ? "  groaned  my  uncle. 

"  I  was  told  that  you  were  lost  overboard,"  said 
Tom,  with  a  struggle  to  recover  his  self-possession. 

"  E.  Dunkswell  pushed  me  overboard ;  but  that  act 
proved  to  be  my  salvation.  I  won't  trouble  you 
with  particulars.  My  mother  is  in  the  parlor." 


THE   ADVENTURES    OF    A    SMART    BOY.  299 

"Tour  mother!"  exclaimed  Tom;  and  from  the 
height  of  guilty  confidence  he  fell  to  the  depth  of 
hopeless  despair. 

"What  shall  be  done?"  repeated  my  uncle,  in 
hollow  tones. 

"Justice  must  be  done,"  I  replied. 

"You  have  been  smart,  Ernest,"  added  Tom,  with 
a  sepulchral  laugh.  "How  can  we  settle  this  busi 
ness?" 

"By  paying  over  to  Mr.  Hale  every  dollar  men 
tioned  in  my  father's  will,"  I  replied. 

"You  are  hard,  Ernest." 

"But  I  am  your  guardian  and  trustee,  Ernest," 
said  my  uncle. 

Tom  said  half  the  money  was  spent,  and  offered 
to  give  up  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  United  States 
securities. 

"Every  dollar,"  I  added. 

"I  will  look  it  over,  Ernest,  and  see  what  can  be 
done,"  replied  Tom,  moving  to  the  door. 

He  rushed  out,  but  only  to  fall  into  the  arms  of 
my  old  friend,  Mr.  Greene,  the  deputy-sheriff.  Mr. 
Hale  had  taken  one  decisive  step.  The  officer  con- 


300  SEEK    AND    FIND,    OK 

ducted  Tom  back  to  the  library,  and  I  went  for  ray 
mother.  I  was  afraid  my  uncle  would  faint  again 
when  she  entered  the  room,  but  he  did  not;  and 
then  I  was  afraid  my  mother  would  faint,  she  was 
so  agitated. 

"Mr.  Thornton,  this  is  unpleasant  business,"  said 
Mr.  Hale.  "  As  the  attorney  for  Mrs.  Thornton  and 
her  son,  I  purpose  to  settle  this  matter  as  quietly  as 
possible.  I  understand  that  the  property  is  in  the 
hands  of  your  son.  I  procured  a  warrant  for  his 
arrest  on  the  criminal  charge." 

"  Mercy !  "  groaned  my  uncle.  "  Do  not  arrest 
him." 

"When  he  has  paid  over  every  dollar  mentioned 
in  the  will  of  Ezra  Thornton,  we  shall  be  willing 
to  say  that  no  one  will  appear  against  him.  My  cli 
ents  do  not  mention  nearly  a  hundred  thousand  dol 
lars'  income  of  which  you  have  defrauded  them. 
These  are  our  best  terms." 

"That  will  leave  me  and  my  son  beggars,"  whined 
my  uncle. 

"  As  you  would  have  left  your  brother's  legal 
heirs,"  replied  Mr.  Hale,  sternly.  "This  poor  lady 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART    BOY.  301 

has  suffered  twelve  years  of  misery,  but  she  does  not 
ask  you  to  pay  the  back  income.  Moreover,  if  you 
do  not  accept  these  terms,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  cause 
your  arrest  on  the  criminal  charge.  I  shall  go  to 
Philadelphia,  present  the  will  for  probate,  and  pro 
ceed  against  both  of  you.  We  have  a  just  claim 
against  you  for  two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dol 
lars.  We  ask  for  but  one  hundred  and  fifty." 

The  terms  were  accepted,  for  Tom  was  already 
under  arrest.  He  informed  us  then  that  the  stocks 
and  bonds  of  my  father's  estate  had  yielded  him  an 
income  of  nine  thousand  dollars,  and  that  he  had 
paid  three  thousand  of  it  to  his  father.  The  princi 
pal  had  not  been  touched.  On  the  following  day, 
Mr.  Hale,  Tom,  and  the  sheriff  started  for  Philadel 
phia  to  recover  the  funds.  They  were  paid  over, 
and  deposited  for  safe  keeping  in  a  bank.  The  will 
was  offered  for  probate,  and  we  all  went  to  Philadel 
phia  to  attend  the  Surrogate  Court.  After  a  delay 
of  several  months,  Mr.  Hale  was  appointed  trustee 
of  the  property,  in  place  of  Amos  Thornton,  who 
declined  the  trust. 

When  the  business  was  done,  my  uncle  seemed  tc 


302  SEEK    AND    FIXD,    OK 

be  at  peace.  He  had  saved  money  enough  from  the 
income  he  had  appropriated  to  support  him.  My 
mother  and  myself  had  several  conversations  with 
him  about  our  affairs,  and  he  solemnly  assured  her 
that  he  did  not  know  she  was  deprived  of  even  the 
luxuries  of  life.  He  had  never  made  any  bargain 
with  Bunyard,  though  they  understood  each  other. 
He  had  sent  the  money  to  pay  her  board,  agreeing 
to  give  the  agent  five  per  cent,  for  his  services.  He 
had  probably  made  from  one  hundred  to  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  pounds  a  year  out  of  the  business, 
and  intended,  at  the  right  time,  to  "  come  down " 
on  his  employer  for  some  thousands. 

After  the  business  in  Philadelphia  was  settled,  my 
mother  and  I  went  to  Parkville.  Mr.  Hale  built  a 
cottage  for  us  on  the  lake,  half  a  mile  from  the  vil 
lage.  We  had  plenty  of  money,  and  many  a  poor 
person  in  the  town  had  occasion  to  bless  my  mother 
for  her  bounty.  We  were  happy,  very  happy,  lor 
my  mother  was  all  I  had  hoped  and  dreamed  in  the 
days  of  my  loneliness.  I  was  the  "man  of  the 
house,"  and  my  constant  study  was  to  make  my 
mother  happy,  and  to  compensate  her  for  the  years 
of  misery  she  had  suffered. 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF   A    SMART   BOY.  303 

I  heard  but  little  of  Tom  Thornton  after  the  set 
tlement;  but  I  learned  that  Mrs.  Loraine,  when  she 
found  his  possessions  had  melted  away,  was  "  not  at 
home"  when  he  called.  I  was  told,  a  few  years 
later,  that  he  kept  a  gambling  saloon  and  bar-room  in 
a  southern  city,  but  I  know  not  how  true  the  state 
ment  was.  My  uncle  occupied  the  cottage  till  hia 
death,  five  years  after  my  mother's  arrival.  I  saw 
him  occasionally,  and  I  had  reason  to  believe  that  he 
repented  his  crime,  and  found  the  true  peace.  In 
his  last  sickness,  my  mother,  forgetting  the  wrongs  of 
the  past,  was  an  angel  at  his  bedside.  She  not  only 
nursed  him,  but  she  read  the  Bible  to  him,  and 
prayed  with  him ;  and  finally  she  closed  his  eyes  in 
his  last  sleep. 

The  Splash  was  moored  in  the  lake  by  my  moth 
er's  cottage,  and  I  cruised  about  in  her  with  Bob 
Hale,  and  often  with  my  mother. 

Mr.  Windleton  procured  the  appointment  of  Mr. 
Loraine  as  Kate's  guardian,  and  I  did  not  often  see 
her,  though  she  spent  a  month  with  us  every  sum 
mer.  Two  years  after  Mr.  Hale  had  paid  over  to 
me  the  money,  when  I  was  twenty-one,  according 


304  SEEK   AND    FIND. 

to  my  father's  will,  we  made  it  perpetual  summer  at 
the  cottage,  for  Kate  was  duly  installed  as  the  mis 
tress  of  the  house.  The  interesting  occasion  came 
off  in  Madison  Place,  and  we  were  delighted  by  the 
presence  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Macombe,  Mr.  Solomons, 
and  Mr.  Carmichael.  Of  course  Bob  Hale  "  stood 
up"  with  me. 

As  this  last  event  properly  ends  our  story,  I  shall 
only  add,  I  believe  in  Kate,  and  so  does  my  mother. 
She  always  calls  me  Ernest  Thornton,  in  full. 
Though  the  Splash  is  now  a  little  shaky  in  her  tim 
bers,  she  is  still  a  good  boat ;  and  almost  every  pleas 
ant  afternoon  in  summer  we  sail  over  to  Cannondale 
in  her,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bob  Hale  being  often  passengers. 
We  try  to  be  faithful  to  each  other,  and  strive  to  be 
good  and  true.  Though  we  hope  we  grow  better 
and  wiser  with  each  year  that  is  mercifully  added 
to  our  span,  there  is  still  always  something  of  truth 
and  goodness  for  us  to  SEEK  AND  FIND. 


OLIVER    OPTICS    BOOKS 


AH-Over-the- World  library.   By  OLIVER  OPTIC.   First  Series. 
Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.    A  Missing  Million;  OR,  THB  ADVENTURES  OF  Louis  BELGRADE. 
9.    A  Millionaire  at  Sixteen ;  OR,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  "  GUARDIAN 
MOTHER." 

3.  A  Young  Knight  Errant;  OR,  CRUISING  IN  THE  WEST  INDIES. 

4.  Strange  Sights  Abroad ;  OR,  ADVENTURES  IN  EUROPEAN  WATERS. 


No  author  has  come  before  the  public  during  the  present  generation  who 


taining  series  "  around  the  world."  As  a  means  to  this  end,  the  hero  of  the 
story  purchases  a  steamer  which  he  names  the  "  Guardian  Mother,"  and 
with  a  number  of  guests  she  proceeds  on  her  voyage.  —  Christian  Work,  N.  Y. 

All-Over-the- World   Library.     By  OLIVER  OPTIC.     Second 
Series.     Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  American  Boys  Afloat ;    OR,  CRUISING  IN  THE  ORIENT. 

2.  The    Young    Navigators ;    OR,    THE    FOREIGN    CRUISE    OF    THB 

"  MAUD." 

3.  Up  and  Down  the  Nile ;  OR,  YOUNG  ADVENTURERS  IN  AFRICA. 

4.  Asiatic  Breezes ;  OR,  STUDENTS  ON  THE  WING. 

The  interest  in  these  stories  is  continuous,  and  there  is  a  great  variety  o* 
exciting  incident  woven  into  the  solid  information  which  the  book  imparts  so 
generously  and  without  the  slightest  suspicion  of  dryness.  Manly  boys 
will  welcome  this  volume  as  cordially  as  they  did  its  predecessors.  —  Boston 
Gazette, 

All-Oyer-the- World  Library.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Third  Se 
ries.     Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Across  India ;  OR,  LIVE  BOYS  IN  THE  FAR  EAST. 

a.  Half  Round  the  World ;  OR,  AMONG  THE  UNCIVILIZED. 

3.  Four  Young  Explorers ;  OR,  SIGHT-SEEING  IN  THE  TROPICS. 

4.  Pacific  Shores ;  OR,  ADVENTURES  IN  EASTERN  SEAS. 

Amid  such  new  and  varied  surroundings  it  would  be  surprising  indeed  if  the 
author,  with  his  faculty  of  making  even  the  commonplace  attractive,  did  not 
tell  an  intensely  interesting  story  of  adventure,  as  well  as  give  much  informa 
tion  in  regard  to  the  distant  countries  through  which  our  friends  pass,  and 
the  strange  peoples  with  whom  they  are  brought  in  contact.  This  book,  and 
indeed  the  whole  series,  is  admirably  adapted  to  reading  aloud  in  the  family 
circle,  each  volume  containing  matter  which  will  interest  all  the  members  of 
ttu  family.  — Boston  Budget, 

UE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


The  Blue  and  the  Gray  —  Afloat.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Six 

volumes.  Illustrated.  Beautiful  binding  in  blue  and  pray, 
with  emblematic  dies.  Cloth.  Any  volume  sold  separately. 
Price  per  volume,  $1.50. 

1.  Taken  by  the  Enemy.  4.    Stand  by  the  Union. 

2.  Within  the  Enemy's  Lines.  5.    Fighting  for  the  Right. 

3.  On  the  Blockade.  6.    A  Victorious  Union. 

The  Blue  and  the  Gray — on  Land. 

1.  Brother  against  Brother.  4.  On  the  Staff. 

2.  In  the  Saddle.  5.   At  the  Front. 

3.  A  Lieutenant  at  Eighteen.  6.   An  Undivided  Union. 

"There  never  has  been  a  more  interesting  writer  in  the  field  of  juvenile 
literature  than  Mr.  W.  T.  ADAMS,  who,  under  his  well-known  pseudonym,  is 
known  and  admired  by  every  boy  and  girl  in  the  country,  and  by  thousands 
who  have  long  since  passed  the  boundaries  of  youth,  yet  who  remember  with 
pleasure  the  genial,  interesting  pen  that  did  so  much  to  interest,  instruct,  and 
entertain  their  younger  years.  'The  Blue  and  the  Gray'  is  a  title  that  is  suf 
ficiently  indicative  of  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  latest  series,  while  the  name 
of  OLIVER  OPTIC  is  sufficient  warrant  of  the  absorbing  style  of  narrative.  This 
series  is  as  bright  and  entertaining  as  any  work  that  Mr.  ADAMS  has  yet  put 
forth,  and  will  be  as  eagerly  perused  as  any  that  has  borne  his  name.  It  would 
not  be  fair  to  the  prospective  reader  to  deprive  him  of  the  zest  which  comes 
from  the  unexpected  by  entering  into  a  synopsis  of  the  Siory.  A  word,  how 
ever,  should  be  said  in  regard  to  the  beauty  and  appropriateness  of  the  binding, 
which  makes  it  a  most  attractive  volume.  — Boston  Budget. 

Woodville  Stories.     By  OLIVER  OPTIC.     Six  volumes.     Illus 
trated.    Any  volume  sold  separately.    Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Rich  and  Humble;  OR,  THE  MISSION  OF  BERTHA  GRANT. 

2.  In  School  and  Out;  OR,  THE  CONQUEST  OF  RICHARD  GRANT. 

3.  Watch  and  Wait;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  FUGITIVES. 

4.  Work  and  Win;  OR,  NODDY  NEWMAN  ON  A  CRUISE. 

5.  Hope  and  Have;  OR,  FANNY  GRANT  AMONG  THE  INDIANS 

6.  Haste  and  Waste;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  PILOT  OF  LAKE  CHAMPLAII*. 
"  Though  we  are  not  so  young  as  we  once  were,  we  relished  these  stories 

almost  as  much  as  the  boys  and  girls  for  whom  they  were  written.  They  we?  f 
really  refreshing,  even  to  us.  There  is  much  in  them  which  is  calculated  •» 
inspire  a  generous,  healthy  ambition,  and  to  make  distasteful  all  reading  tend 
ing  to  stimulate  base  desires."  —  Fitchburg  Reveille. 

The  Starry  Flag1  Series.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  In  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume 
$1.25. 

1.  The  Starry  Flag;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  FISHERMAN  OF  CAPE  ANN. 

2.  Breaking  Away;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  STUDENT. 

3.  Seek  and  Find;  OR,  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY. 

4.  Freaks  of  Fortune;  OR,  HALF  ROUND  THE  WORLD. 

5.  Make  or  Break;   OR,  THE  RICH  MAN'S  DAUGHTER. 

6.  Down  the  River;  OR,  BUCK  BRADFORD  AND  THE  TYRANTS. 

"  Mr.  ADAMS,  the  celebrated  and  popular  writer,  familiarly  known  as  OLIVE  n 
OPTIC,  seems  to  have  inexhaustible  funds  for  weaving  together  the  virtues  of 
life;  and,  notwithstanding  he  has  \vritten  scores  of  books,  the  same  freshness 
and  novelty  run  through  them  all.  Some  people  think  the  sensational  element 
predominates.  Perhaps  it  does.  But  a  hook  fbr  young  people  needs  this,  and 
so  long  as  good  sentiments  are  inculcated  such  books  ought  to  be  read." 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


Army  and  iNTavy  Stories.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume, 
$1.25. 

1.  The  Soldier  Boy;  OR,  TOM  SOMERS  IN  THE  ARMY. 

2.  The  SaUor  Boy;  OR,  JACK  SOMERS  IN  THE  NAVY. 

3.  The  Young  Lieutenant;  OR,  ADVENTURES  OF  AN  ARMY  OFFICER. 

4.  The  Yankee  Middy;  OR,  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NAVY  OFFICER. 

5.  Fighting  Joe;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  STAFF  OFFICER. 

6.  Brave  Old  Salt;  OR,  LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK. 

"This  series  of  six  volumes  recounts" the  adventures  of  two  brothers,  Tom 
and  Ja~k  Somers,  one  in  the  army,  the  other  in  the  navy,  in  the  great  Civil  War. 
The  romantic  narratives  of  the  fortunes  and  exploits  of  the  brothers  are  thrill 
ing  in  the  extreme.  Historical  accuracy  in  the  recital  of  the  great  events  of 
that  period  is  strictly  followed,  and  the  result  is,  not  only  a  library  of  entertain 
ing  volumes,  but  also  the  best  history  of  the  Civil  War  for  young  people  ever 
written." 

Boat  Builders  Series.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  In  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume, 

$1.25. 

1.  All  Adrift;  OR,  THE  GOLDWING  CLUB. 
55.  Snug  Harbor;  OR,  THE  CHAMPLAIN  MECHANICS. 

3.  Square  and  Compasses;  OR,  BUILDING  THE  HOUSE. 

4.  Stem  to  Stern;  OR,  BUILDING  THE  BOAT. 

5.  All  Taut;  OR,  RIGGING  THE  BOAT. 

6.  Ready  About;  OR,  SAILING  THE  BOAT. 

"  The  series  includes  in  six  successive  volumes  the  whole  art  of  boat  building1, 
boat  rigging,  boat  managing,  and  practical  hints  to  make  the  ownership  of  a 
boat  pay.  A  great  deal  of  useful  information  is  given  in  this  Boat  Builders 
Series,  and  in  "ach  book  a  very  interesting  story  is  interwoven  with  the  infor 
mal: 
Adr 

seri(___ 

makes  his  acquaintance  in  '  All  Adrift '  will  become  his  friend. 

Kiverdale  Story  Books.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Twelve  vol 
umes.  Illustrated.  Illuminated  covers.  Price :  cloth,  per 
set,  $3.60;  per  volume,  30  cents;  paper,  per  set,  $2.00. 

1.  Little  Merchant.  7.    Proud  and  Lazy. 

2.  Young  Voyagers.  8.    Careless  Kate. 

3.  Christmas  Gift.  9.    Robinson  Crusoe,  Jr. 

4.  Dolly  and  I.  10.    The  Picnic  Party. 

5.  Uncle  Ben.  11.    The  Gold  Thimble. 

6.  Birthday  Party.  12.    The  Do-Somethings. 

Riverdale  Story  Books.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Fancy  cloth  and  colors.  Price  per  volume,  30 
cents. 

1.  Little  Merchant.  4.    Careless  Kate. 

2.  Proud  and  Lazy.  5.    Dolly  and  I. 

tf.    Young  Voyagers.  6.    Robinson  Crusoe,  Jr. 

Flora  Lee  Library.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Six  volumes.  Illus 
trated.  Fancy  cloth  and  colors.  Price  per  volume,  30 
cents. 

1.  The  Picnic  Party.  •*•    Christmas  Gift. 

2.  The  Gold  Thimble.  5.    Uncle  Ben. 

3.  The  Do-Somethings.  6.    Birthday  Party. 

These  are  bright  short  stories  for  younger  children  who  are  unable  to  com 
prehend  the  Starry  Flag  Series  or  the  Army  and  Navy  Series.  But  they 
all  display  the  author's  talent  for  pleasing  and  interesting  the  little  folks.  They 
are  all  fresh  and  original,  preaching  no  sermons,  but  inculcating  good  lessen*. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FRFF. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 

The  Great  Western  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six  rol- 

umes.    Illustrated.    Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price  per 
volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Going  West;  OR,  THE  PERILS  OF  A  POOR  BOY. 

2.  Out  West;  OR,  ROUGHING  IT  ON  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 

3.  Lake  Breezes;  OR,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  SYLVANIA. 

4.  Going  South;  OR,  YACHTING  ON  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST. 

5.  Down  South;  OR,  YACHT  ADVENTURES  IN  FLORIDA. 

6.  Up  the  River;  OR,  YACHTING  ON  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 

"This  is  the  latest  series  of  books  issued  by  this  popular  writer,  and  dealt 
with  life  on  the  Great  Lakes,  for  which  a  careful  study  was  made  by  the  author 
in  a  summer  tour  of  the  immense  water  sources  of  America.  The  story,  which 
carries  the  same  hero  through  the  six  books  of  the  series,  is  always  entertain 
ing',  novel  scenes  and  varied  incidents  giving-  a  constantly  changing  yet  always 
attractive  aspect  to  the  narrative.  OLIVER  OPTIC  has  written  nothing  better." 

The  Yacht  Club  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six  volumes. 

Illustrated.    Any  volume  sold  separately.    Price  per  volume, 

$1.25. 

1.  Little  Bobtail;  OR,  THE  WRECK  OF  THE  PENOBSCOT. 
/}.  The  Yacht  Club;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  BOAT  BUILDERS. 

3.  Money-Maker ;  OR,  THE  VICTORY  OF  THE  BASILISK. 

4.  The  Coming  Wave;  OR,  THE  TREASURE  OF  HIGH  ROCK, 
6.  The  Dorcas  Club;  OR,  OUR  GIRLS  AFLOAT. 

6.  Ocean  Born;  OR,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  CLUBS. 

"The  series  has  this  peculiarity,  that  all  of  its  constituent  volumes  are  inde. 
pendent  of  one  another,  and  therefore  each  story  is  complete  in  itself.  OLIVER 
OPTIC  is,  perhaps,  the  favorite  author  of  the  boys  and  girls  of  this  country,  and 
he  seems  destined  to  enjoy  an  endless  popularity.  He  deserves  his  success, 
for  he  makes  very  interesting  stories,  and  inculcates  none  but  the  best  senti 
ments,  and  the  '  Y_acht  Club*  is  no  exception  to  this  rule." — ./Wzw  Haven- 
Journal  and  Courier. 

Onward  and  Upward  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six 

volumes.     Illustrated.     Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price 
per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Field  and  Forest;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  FARMER. 

2.  Plane  and  Plank;  OR,  THE  MISHAPS  OF  A  MECHANIC. 

3.  Desk  and  Debit;  OR,  THE  CATASTROPHES  OF  A  CLERK. 

4.  Cringle  and  Crosstree;  OR,  THE  SEA  SWASHES  OF  A  SAILOR. 

5.  Bivouac  and  Battle;  OR,  THE  STRUGGLES  OF  A  SOLDIER. 

6.  Sea  and  Shore;  OR,  THE  TRAMPS  OF  A  TRAVELLER. 

"Paul  Farringford,  the  hero  of  these  tales,  is,  like  most  of  this  author's 
heroes,  a  young  man  of  high  spirit,  and  of  high  aims  and  correct  principles, 
appearing  in  the  different  volumes  as  a  farmer,  a  captain,  a  bookkeeper,  a 
soldier,  a  sailor,  and  a  traveller.  In  all  of  them  the  hero  meets  with  very 
exciting  adventures,  told  in  the  graphic  style  for  which  the  author  is  famous." 

The  Lake  Shore  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.     Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price  per  volume, 
$1.25. 
1.  Through  by  Daylight;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  ENGINEER  OF  THE  LAKH 

SHORE  RAILROAD. 
JZ.  Lightning  Express;  OR,  THE  RIVAL  ACADEMIES. 

3.  On  Time;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  UCAYGA  STEAMER. 

4.  Switch  Off;  OR,  THE  WAR  OF  THE  STUDENTS. 
6.  Brake  Up;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  PEACEMAKERS. 

6.  Bear  and  Forbear;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  SKIPPER  OF  LAKE  UCAYGA. 

"OLIVER  OPTIC  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  writers  for  youth,  and  withal 
one  of  the  best  to  be  found  in  this  or  any  past  age.  Troops  of  young  people 
hang  over  his  vivid  pages ;  and  not  one  of  them  ever  learned  to  be  mean,  ignoble, 
cowardly,  selfish,  or  to  yield  to  any  vice  from  anything  they  ever  read  from  his 
pen."  —  Providence  Pres*, 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


The  Famous  Boat  Club  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Six 

volumes.     Illustrated.     Any  volume   sold  separately.     Price 
per  volume  $1.25. 

1.  The  Boat  Club ;  OR,  THE  BUNKERS  OF  RIPPLETON. 

St.  All  Aboard ;  OR,  LIFE  ON  THE  LAKE. 

3.  Now  or  UTever;  OR,  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  BOBBY  BRIGHT. 

4.  Try  Again ;  OR,  THE  TRIALS  AND  TRIUMPHS  OF  HARRY  WEST. 

5.  Poor  and  Proud ;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  KATY  REDBURN. 

0.  Little  by  Little;  OR,  THE  (.RUISE  OF  THE  FLYAWAY. 

"  This  is  the  first  series  of  books  written  for  the  young  by  OLIVER  OPTIC. 
It  laid  the  foundation  for  his  fame  as  the  first  of  authors  in  which  the  young 
delight,  and  grained  for  him  the  title  of  the  Prince  of  Story  Tellers.  The  six 
books  are  varied  in  incident  and  plot,  but  all  are  entertaining  and  original." 

(Other  •volumes  in  preparation.) 

Young*  America  Abroad:  A  LIBRARY  OF  TRAVEL  AND 
ADVENTURE  IN  FOREIGN  LANDS.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Illus 
trated  by  NAST  and  others.  First  Series.  Six  volumes. 
Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Out-ward  Boand;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  AFLOAT. 

%.  Shamrock  and  Thistle;   OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  IRELAND  AND 

SCOTLAND. 
8.  Red  Cross;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  ENGLAND  AND  WALES. 

4.  Dikes    and    Ditches;    OR,   YOUNG    AMERICA    IN    HOLLAND    AND 

BELGIUM. 

5.  Palace    and   Cottage;    OR,   YOUNG    AMERICA    IN    FRANCE    AND 

SWITZERLAND. 

6.  Down  the  Rhine;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  GERMANY. 

"The  story  from  its  inception,  and  through  the  twelve  volumes  (see  Second 
Series) ,  is  a  bewitching  one,  while  the  information  imparted  concerning  the 
countries  of  Europe  and  the  isles  of  the  sea  is  not  only  correct  in  every  particu 
lar,  but  is  told  in  a  captivating  style.  OLIVER  OPTIC  will  continue  to  be  the 
boys'  friend,  and  his  pleasant  books  will  continue  to  be  read  by  thousands  of 
American  boys.  What  a  fine  holiday  present  either  or  both  series  of  Young 
America  Abroad '  would  be  for  a  young  friend !  It  would  make  a  little  library 
highly  prized  by  the  recipient,  and  would  not  be  an  expensive  one." — Provt- 
dence  Press. 

Young1  America  Abroad.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Second  Series. 
Six  volumes.  Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately. 
Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Up  the  Baltic;   OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  NORWAY,  SWEDEN,  AND 

DENMARK. 

2.  Northern  Lands;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  RUSSIA  AND  PRUSSIA. 

3.  Cross  and  Crescent;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  TURKEY  AND  GREECE. 

4.  Sunny  Shores;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  ITALY  AND  AUSTRIA. 

5.  Vine  and  Olive;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  SPAIN  AND  PORTUGAL. 

6.  Isles  of  the  Sea;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  HOMEWARD  BOUND. 

"  OLIVER  OPTIC  is  a  nom  deplume  that  is  known  and  loved  by  almost  every 
boy  of  intelligence  in  the  land.  We  have  seen  a  highly  intellectual  and  world- 
weary  man,  a  cynic  whose  heart  was  somewhat  embittered  by  its  large  experi 
ence  of  human  nature,  take  up  one  of  OLIVER  OPTIC'S  books,  and  read  it  at  a 
sitting,  neglecting  his  work  in  yielding  to  the  fascination  of  the  pages.  When 
a  mature  and  exceedingly  well-informed  mind,  long  despoiled  of  all  its  fresh- 
ness,  can  thus  find  pleasure  in  a  book  for  boys,  no  additional  words  of  recon*. 
mendation  are  needed." — Sunday  Times. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


LEE  AND  SHEPARD'S  ILLUSTRATED   JUVENILES 


J.   T.   TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  START  IN  LIFE   SERIES.    4  volumes. 

A.  Start   in  Life :   A  STORY  OF   THE  GENESEE  COUNTRY.     Bjr 
J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  recounts  the  hardships  of  a  young  lad  in  his  first 
endeavor  to  start  out  for  himself.  It  is  a  tale  that  is  full  ofenthusiasm  and 
budding-  hopes.  The  writer  shows  how  hard  the  youths  of  a  century  ago  were 
compelled  to  work.  This  he  does  in  an  entertaining  way,  mingling  fun  and 
adventures  with  their  daily  labors.  The  hero  is  a  striking  example  of  the 
honest  boy,  who  is  not  too  lazy  to  work,  nor  too  dull  to  thoroughly  appreciate 
a  joke. 

Biding  His  Time.     By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

"  It  is  full  of  spirit  and  adventure,  and  presents  a  plucky  hero  who  was  willing 
to  '  bide  his  time,'  no  matter  how  great  the  expectations  that  he  indulged  in 
from  his  uncle's  vast  wealth,  which  he  did  not  in  the  least  covet.  .  .  .  He  was 
left  a  poor  orphan  in  Ohio  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  soon  after  heard  of  a 
rich  uncle,  who  lived  near  Boston.  He  sets  off  on  the  long  journey  to  Boston, 
finds  his  uncle,  an  eccentric  old  man,  is  hospitably  received  by  him,  but  seeks 
employment  in  a  humble  way,  and  proves  that  he  is  a  persevering  and  plucky 
young  man."  —  Boston  Home  Journal. 

The  Kelp  Gatherers:   A  STORY  OF   THE  MAINE  COAST.     By 
J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

This  book  is  full  of  interesting  information  upon  the  plant  life  of  the  sea 
shore,  and  the  life  of  marine  animals;  but  it  is  also  a  bright  and  readable 
story,  with  all  the  hints  of  character  and  the  vicissitudes  of  human  life,  in 
depicting  which  the  author  is  an  acknowledged  master. 

The    Scarlet    Tanag-er,    AND    OTHER   BIPEDS.     By  J.    T. 
TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

Every  new  story  which  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE  begins  is  followed  through  succes 
sive  chapters  by  thousands  who  have  read  and  re-read  many  times  his  preceding 
tales.  One  of  his  greatest  charms  is  his  absolute  truthfulness.  He  does  not 
depict  little  saints,  or  incorrigible  rasca's,  but  just  boys.  This  same  fidelity  to 
nature  is  seen  in  his  latest  book,  "  The  Scarlet  Tanager,  and  Other  Bipeds." 
There  is  enough  adventure  in  this  tale  to  commend  it  to  the  liveliest  reader, 
and  all  the  lessons  it  teaches  are  wholesome. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON.  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 

THE  TIDE-MILL   STORIES.    6  volumes. 

Phil  and  His  Friends.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGH.    Illustrated. 


The  hero  is  the  son  of  a  man  who  from  drink  got  into  debt,  and,  after  having 


Phil  manfully  works  for  a  year,  cancelling  his  father's  debt,  and  then  escapes 
The  characters  are  strongly  drawn,  and  the  story  is  absorbingly  interesting. 

The  Tinkham  Brothers'  Tide-Mill.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE 
Illustrated.     $1.25. 


The  Tinkham  Brothers  "  were  the  devoted  sons  of  an  invalid  mother.    The 


h 

all  difficulties. 


"  Mr.  1  ROWBRIDGE'S  numor,  his  fidelity  to  nature,  and  story-telling  powe 
lose  nothing  with  years ;  and  he  stands  at  the  head  of  those  who  are  furnishing 
a  literature  for  the  young,  clean  and  sweet  in  tone,  and  always  of  interest  am 

va1n*»   Jl Thf    C^ftttfinfltt 


"  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE'S  humor,  his  fidelity  to  nature,  and  story-telling  power 
lose  nothing  with  years ;  and  he  stands  at  the  head  of  those  who  are  fiirnishino- 
a  literature  for  the  young 
value." —  The  Continent. 

The   Satin-wood  Box.     By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated. 
$1.25. 

"  Mr.  TROWBRIDGZ  has  always  a  purpose  in  his  writings,  and  this  time  he 
has  undertaken  to  show  how  very  near  an  innocent  boy  can  come  to  the  guilty 
edge  and  yet  be  able  by  fortunate  circumstances  to  rid  himself  of  all  suspicion 
of  evil.  There  is  something  winsome  about  the  hero;  but  he  has  a  singular 
way  of  falling  into  bad  luck,  although  the  careful  reader  will  never  feel  the 
least  disposed  to  doubt  his  honesty.  ...  It  is  the  pain  and  perplexity  which 
impart  to  the  story  its  intense  interest." —  Syracuse  Standard. 

The  Little  Master.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

This  is  the  story  of  a  schoolmaster,  his  trials,  disappointments,  and  final 
victory.  It  will  recall  to  many  a  man  his  experience  in  teaching  pupils,  and 
in  managing  their  opinionated  and  self-willed  parents.  The  story  has  the 
charm  which  is  always  found  in  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE'S  works. 

"  Many  a  teacher  could  profit  by  reading  of  this  plucky  little  schoolmaster." 
—  Journal  of  Education. 

His  One  Fault.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"As  for  the  hero  of  this  story,  'His  One  Fault"  was  absent-mindedness.  He 
forgot  to  lock  his  uncle's  stable  door,  and  the  horse  was  stolen.  In  seeking  to 
recover  the  stolen  horse,  he  unintentionally  stole  another.  In  trying  to  restore 
the  wrong  horse  to  his  rightful  owner,  he  was  himself  arrested.  After  no  end 
of  comic  and  dolorous  adventures,  he  surmounted  all  his  misfortunes  by  down 
right  pluck  and  genuine  good  feeling.  It  is  a  noble  contribution  to  juvenile 
literature."  —  Woman's  journal. 

Peter  Budstone.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"  TROWBRIDGE'S  other  books  have  been  admirable  and  deservedly  popular, 
but  this  one,  in  our  opinion,  is  the  best  yet.  It  is  a  story  at  once  spirited  and 
touching,  with  a  certain  dramatic  and  artistic  quality  that  appeals  to  the  literary 
sense  as  well  as  to  the  story-loving  appetite.  In  it  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE  has  not 
lectured  or  moralized  or  remonstrated ;  he  has  simply  shown  boys  what  they 
are  doing  when  they  contemplate  hazing.  By  a  good  artistic  impulse  we  are 
not  shown  the  hazing  at  all;  when  the  story  begins,  the  hazing  is  already  over, 
and  we  are  introduced  immediately  to  the  results.  It  is  an  artistic  touch  also 
that  the  boy  injured  is  not  hurt  because  he  is  a  fellow  of  delicate  nerves,  but  be 
cause  of  his  very  strength,  and  the  power  with  which  he  resisted  until  overcome 
by  numbers,  and  subjected  to  treatment  which  left  him  insane.  His  insanity 
takes  the  form  of  harmless  delusion,  and  the  absurdity  of  his  ways  and  talk 
•nables  the  author  to  lighten  the  sombreness  without  weakening  the  moral,  in 
away  that  ought  to  win  all  boys  to  his  side."  —  The  Critic. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE 


J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  STLVEK  MEDAL  STORIES.    6  volumes. 

The  Silver  Medal,  AND  OTHER  STORIES.      By  J.   T.   TROW- 
BRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.25. 

There  were  some  schoolboys  who  had  turned  housebreakers,  and  among  their 

flunder  was  a  silver  medal  that  had  been  given  to  one  John  Harrison  by  the 
lumane  Society  for  rescuing  from  drowning  a  certain  Benton  Barry.    "Now 
Benton  Barry  was  one  of  the  wretched  housebreakers.     This  is  the  summary 
of  the  opening  chapter.    The  story  is  intensely  interesting  in  its   serious  as 
well  as  its  humorous  parts. 

His  Own  Master.     ByJ.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"  This  is  a  book  after  the  typical  boy's  own  heart.  Its  hero  is  a  plucky  young 
fellow,  who,  seeing  no  chance  for  himself  at  home,  determines  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  .  .  .  He  sets  out  accordingly,  trudges  to  the  far  West,  and 
finds  the  road  to  fortune  an  unpleasantly  rough  one."  —  Philadelphia  Inquirer. 

"  We  class  this  as  one  of  the  best  stories  for  boys  we  ever  read.  The  tone  is 
perfectly  healthy,  and  the  interest  is  kept  up  to  the  end."  —  Boston  Home 
Journal. 

Bound  in  Honor.    ByJ.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

This  story  is  of  a  lad,  who,  though  not  guilty  of  any  bad  action,  had  been  an 
eye-witness  of  the  conduct  of  his  comrades,  and  felt  "  Bound  in  Honor"  not 
to  tell. 

"  The  glimpses  we  get  of  New  England  character  are  free  from  any  distor 
tion,  and  their  humorous  phases  are  always  entertaining.  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE'S 
brilliant  descriptive  faculty  is  shown  to  great  advantage  in  ihe  opening  chapter 
of  the  book  by  a  vivid  picture  of  a  village  fire,  and  is  manifested  elsewhere  with 
equally  telling  effect."  —  Boston  Courier. 

The  Pocket  Rifle.    By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.    Illustrated.    $1.25. 

"  A  boy's  story  which  will  be  read  with  avidity,  as  it  ought  to  be.  it  is  so 
brightly  and  frankly  written,  and  with  such  evident  knowledge  of  the  tempera 
ments  and  habits,  the  friendships  and  enmities  of  schoolboys."  —  New  York 
Mail. 

"  This  is  a  capital  story  for  boys.  'TROWBRIDGE  never  tells  a  story  poorly. 
It  teaches  honesty,  integrity,  and  friendship,  and  how  best  they  can  be  pro 
moted.  It  shows  the  danger  of  hasty  judgment  and  circumstantial  evidence; 
that  right-doing  pays,  and  dishonesty  never."  —  Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

The  Jolly  Rover.     ByJ.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.25. 

"  This  book  will  help  to  neutralize  the  ill  effects  of  any  poison  which  children 
may  have  swallowed  in  the  way  of  sham  -adventurous  stories  and  wildly  fictitious 
tales.  'The  Jolly  Rover'  runs  away  from  home,  and  meets  life  as  it  is,  till  he 
is  glad  enough  to  seek  again  his  father's  house.  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE  has  the 
power  of  making  an  instructive  story  absorbing  in  its  interest,  and  of  covering 
a  moral  so  that  it  is  easy  to  take."  —  Christian  Intelligencer. 

Young1  Joe,  AND  OTHER  BOYS.     ByJ.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illus 

trated.     $1.25. 

•'  Young  Joe,"  who  lived  at  Bass  Cove,  where  he  shot  wild  ducks,  took  some 
to  town  for  sale,  and  attracted  the  attention  of  a  portly  gentleman  fond  of  shoot 
ing.  This  gentleman  went  duck  shooting  with  Joe,  and  their  adventures  were 
more  amusing  to  the  boy  than  to  the  amateur  sportsman. 

There  are  thirteen  other  short  stories  in  the  book  which  will  be  sure  to  please 
the  young  folks. 

The  "Vagabonds  :    AN  ILLUSTRATED   POEM.     By  J.  T.  TROW- 

BRIDGE.       Cloth.       $1.50. 

"  The  Vagabonds  "  are  a  strolling  fiddler  and  his  dog.  The  fiddler  has  been 
ruined  by  drink,  and  his  monologue  is  one  of  the  most  pathetic  and  etlective 
pieces  in  our  literature. 

LEE  AND  SOARD.  BSST~1.  S^D  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


BOOKS   BY 


"EVERETT    T.    TOMLINSON 


THE    WAR    OF    1812    SERIES 

By   EVERETT  T.   TOMLINSON       Cloth 
Illustrated     Per  volume  $1.50 

COMPRISING 

The  Search  for  Andrew  Field 

The  Boy  Soldiers  of  1812 

The  Boy  Officers  of  1812 
Tecumseh's  Young  Braves 

Guarding  the  Border 

The  Boys  with  Old  Hickory 

Mr.  Tomlinson,  who  knows  the  "  ins  and  outs  "  of  boy  nature  by  heart, 
is  one  of  the  most  entertaining  and  at  the  same  time  one  of  the  most  in 
structive  of  living  writers  of  juvenile  fiction.  In  his  younger  days  a 
teacher  by  profession,  he  has  made  boys  and  their  idiosyncrasies  the  ab 
sorbing  study  of  his  life,  and,  with  the  accumulated  experience  of  years  to 
aid  him,  has  applied  himself  to  the  task  of  preparing  for  their  mental 
delectation  a  diet  that  shall  be  at  once  wholesome  and  attractive;  and  that 
his  efforts  in  this  laudable  direction  have  been  successful  is  conclusively 
proven  by  his  popularity  among  boy  readers. 

LIBRARY   OF   HEROIC   EVENTS 

STORIES   OF    THE    AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION 

First  Series 

By    EVERETT    T.    TOMLINSON       Cloth 
Illustrated      $1.00 

STORIES    OF    THE   AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION 

Second  Series 


By    EVERETT    T.    TOMLINSON 
Illustrated     $1.00 


Cloth 


STORIES 

OF  THE 

AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION 

FIR.ST  SCRIES 


Sold  by  all  booksellers  and  sent  prepaid  on  receipt  of  price 


LEE   AND    SHEPARD    Publishers    Boston 


THE  OLD  GLORY  SERIES. 

By  EDWARD  STRATEMEYER, 

Auihrrcf  "  The  Bound  to  Succeed  Series"  "  The  Ship  and  Shore  Series"  ttc. 
Cloth.    Illustrated.    Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

UNDER  DEWEY  AT  MANILA  Or  the  War  Fortunes  of 

a  Castaway. 
A  YOUNG  VOLUNTEER  IN  CUBA  Or  Fighting  for  the 

Single  Star. 
FIGHTING   IN    CUBAN  WATERS   Or   Under    Schley  on 

the  Brooklyn. 
UNDER  OTIS  IN  THE  PHILIPPINES  Or  a  Young  Officer 

in  the  Tropics.     (In  press .) 


PRESS  NOTICES. 

" '  Under  Dewey  at  Manila '  is  a  thoroughly  timely  book,  in  perfect  sympathy  with 
the  patriotism  of  the  day.  Its  title  is  conducive  to  its  perusing,  and  its  reading  to 
anticipation.  For  the  volume  is  but  the  first  of  the  Old  Glory  Series,  and  the  im 
print  is  that  of  the  famed  firm  of  Lee  and  Shepard,  whose  name  has  been  for  so  many 
years  linked  with  the  publications  of  Oliver  Optic.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  story  is 
right  in  line  with  the  productions  of  that  gifted  and  most  fascinating  of  authors,  and 
certainly  there  is  every  cause  for  congratulation  that  the  stirring  events  of  our  recent 
war  are  not  to  lose  their  value  for  instruction  through  that  valuable  school  which  the 
late  William  T.  Adams  made  so  individually  distinctive. 

"  Edward  Stratemeyer,  who  is  the  author  of  the  present  work,  has  proved  an  extra 
ordinarily  apt  scholar,  and  had  the  book  appeared  anonymously  there  could  hardly 
have  failed  of  a  unanimous  opinion  that  a  miracle  had  enabled  the  writer  of  the 
famous  Army  and  Navy  and  other  series  to  resume  his  pen  for  the  volume  in  hand. 
Mr.  Stratemeyer  has  acquired  in  a  wonderfully  successful  degree  the  knack  of  writ 
ing  an  interesting  educational  story  which  will  appeal  to  the  young  people,  and  the 
plan  of  his  trio  of  books  as  outlined  cannot  fail  to  prove  both  interesting  and  valu 
able."  —  Boston  Ideas. 

"  Stratemeyer's  style  suits  the  boys."  —  JOHN  TERHUNK,  Supt.  of  Public  Instruc 
tion,  Bergen  Co.,  Neiu  Jersey. 

"  '  The  Young  Volunteer  in  Cuba,'  the  second  of  the  Old  Glory  Series,  is  better 
than  the  first;  perhaps  it  traverses  more  familiar  ground.  Ben  Russell,  the  brother 
of  Larry,  who  was  '  with  Dewey,'  enlists  with  the  volunteers  and  goes  to  Cuba, 
where  he  shares  in  the  abundance  of  adventure  and  has  a  chance  to  show  his  courage 
and  honesty  and  manliness,  which  win  their  reward.  A  good  book  for  boys,  giving 
a  good  deal  of  information  in  a  most  attractive  form."  —  Universalist  Leader. 


For  sale  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent,  postpaid,  on  receipt  of  price  by 

LEE  &  SHEPARD,  Publishers, 

BOSTON. 


THE  BOUND  TO  SUCCEED  SERIES 

By   EDWARD  STRATEHEYER, 

Author  of  "Under  Dewey  at  Manila"  etc. 

Three  Volumes.    Cloth.    Illustrated.    Price  per  volume,  $ i.oo. 


RICHARD  DARE'S   VENTURE  Or  Striking  Out  for 

Himself. 
OLIVER  BRIGHT'S  SEARCH  Or  The  Mystery  of 

a  Mine. 
TO  ALASKA  FOR  GOLD  Or  The  Fortune  Hunters 

of  the  Yukon. 


PRESS  OPINIONS  OF  EDWARD  STRATEMEYER'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG 
PEOPLE. 

"  In  '  Richard  Dare's  Venture,'  Edward  Stratemeyer  has  fully  sustained  his  repu 
tation  as  an  entertaining,  helpful,  and  instructive  writer  for  boys." — Philadelphia 
Call. 

" '  Richard  Dare's  Venture,'  by  Edward  Stratemeyer,  tells  the  story  of  a  country 
lad  who  goes  to  New  York  to  earn  enough  to  support  his  widowed  mother  and 
orphaned  sisters.  Richard's  energy,  uprightness  of  character,  and  good  sense  carry 
him  through  some  trying  experiences,  and  gain  him  friends." — The  Churchman, 
New  York. 

"A  breezy  boy's  book  is  '  Oliver  Bright's  Search.'  The  author  has  a  direct,  graphic 
style,  and  every  healthy  minded  youth  will  enjoy  the  volume." — N.  Y.  Commercial 
Advertiser. 

"  '  Richard  Dare's  Venture  '  is  a  fresh,  wholesome  book  to  put  into  a  boy's  hands." 
—  St.  Louis  Post  Dispatch. 

" '  Richard  Dare's  Venture  '  is  a  wholesome  story  of  a  practical  boy  who  made  a 
way  for  himself  when  thrown  upon  his  own  resources." — Christian  Advocate. 

"It  is  such  books  as 'Richard  Dare's  Venture'  that  are  calculated  to  inspire 
young  readers  with  a  determination  to  succeed  in  lite,  and  to  choose  some  honorable 
walk  in  which  to  find  that  success.  The  author,  Edward  Stratemeyer,  has  shown  a 
judgment  that  is  altogether  top  rare  in"~the  maker*  of  books  for  boys,  in  that  he  has 
avoided  that  sort  of  heroics  in  the  picturing  of  the  life  of  his  hero  which  deals  in 
adventures  of  the  daredevil  sort.  In  that  respect  alone  the  book  commends  itself  to 
the  favor  of  parents  who  have  a  regard  for  the  education  of  their  sons,  but  the  story 
is  sufficiently  enlivening  and  often  thrilling  to  satisfy  the  healthful  desires  of  the 
young  reader." — Kansas  City  Star. 

"  Of  standard  writers  of  boys'  stories  there  is  quit*  »  list,  but  those  who  have  not 
read  any  by  Edward  Stratemeyer  have  missed  a  very  goodly  thing." — Boston  Ideas. 


For  tale  by  all  booksellers,  or  will  be  sent,  postpaid,  o~  receipt  of  price  by 

LEE  &  SHEPARD,  Publishers, 
BOSTON. 


THE  SHIP  AND  SHORE  SERIES 

By  EDWARD  STRATEMEYER. 

Three  Volumes.    Cloth.    Illustrated.    Price  per  volume,  $1.00. 


THE  LAST  CRUISE  OF  THE  SPITFIRE  Or  Luke 

Foster's  Strange  Voyage. 
REUBEN    STONE'S    DISCOVERY    Or    The    Young 

Miller  of  Torrent  Bend. 
TRUE    TO    HIMSELF    Or  Roger  Strong's  Struggle 

for   Place.      (In  press.) 


PRESS  OPINIONS  OP  EDWARD  STRATEMETER'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG 
PEOPLE. 

"  Mr.  Edward  Stratemeyer  is  in  danger  of  becoming  very  popular  among  the 
young  people  of  the  country."  —  Burlington  (Iowa)  Hawk-eye. 

"  '  The  Last  Cruise  of  the  Spitfire  '  is  of  deep  interest  to  the  bounding  heart  of  an 
enthusiastic  boy.  The  book  leaves  a  good  impression  on  a  boy's  mind,  as  it  teaches 
the  triumph  of  noble  deeds  and  true  heroism."  —  Kansas  City  (Mo.)  Times. 

"  Let  us  mention  in  passing  two  admirable  books  for  boys,  '  Reuben  Stone's  Dis 
covery  '  and  '  Oliver  Bright's  Search,'  by  Edward  Stratemeyer,  with  whom  we  are 
all  acquainted.  This  last  bit  of  his  work  is  especially  good,  and  the  boy  who  gets 
one  of  these  volumes  will  become  very  popular  among  his  fellows  until  the  book  is 
worn  threadbare."  —  A^.  Y.  Herald. 

"  A  good  sea-tale  for  boys  is  '  The  Last  Cruise  of  the  Spitfire,'  by  Edward  Strate 
meyer.  There  is  plenty  of  adventure  in  it,  a  shipwreck,  a  cruise  on  a  raft,  and  other 
stirring  perils  of  the  deep."  —  Detroit  (Mich.)  Journal. 

"  In  a  simple,  plain,  straightforward  manner,  Mr.  Edward  Stratemeyer  endeavors 
to  show  his  boy  readers  what  persistency,  honesty,  and  willingness  to  work  have 
accomplished  for  his  young  hero,  and  his  mcfcal  is  evident.  Mr.  Stratemeyer  is  very 
earnest  and  sincere  in  his  portraiture  of  young  character  beginning  to  shape  itself  to 
weather  against  the  future.  A  book  of  this  sort  is  calculated  to  interest  boys,  to  feed 
their  ambition  with  hope,  and  to  indicate  how  they  must  fortify  themselves  against 
the  wiles  of  vice."  —  Boston  Herald. 


For  salt  by  all  booksellers,  or  sent,  postpaid,  on  receipt  of  price  b-y 

LEE  &  SHEPARD,   Publishers, 
BOSTON. 


AMERICAN   BOYS'    SERIES 


The  books  selected  for  this  serk;.s  are 
all  thoroughly  American,  by  such  lavo- 
rite  American  authors  of  boys'  cooks 
as  Oliver  Optic,  Elijah  Kellogg,  Prof. 
James  DeMille,  and  others,  now  made 
for  the  first  time  at  a  largely  reduced 
price,  in  order  to  bring  them  within  the 
reach  of  all.  Each  volume  complete 
in  itself. 

UNIFORM  CLOTH  BINDING  ILLUS 
TRATED  NEW  AND  ATTRACTIVE  DIES 
Price  per  volume  $1.00 


1.  ADRIFT  IN  THE  ICE  FIELDS     By  Capt.  Chas.  W.  Hall 

2.  ALL  ABOARD  or  Life  on  the  Lake     By  Oliver  Optic 

3.  ARK  OF  ELM  ISLAND     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

4.  ARTHUR  BROWN  THE  YOUNG  CAPTAIN    By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

5.  BOAT  CLI;B,  THE,  or  the  Bunkers  of  Rippleton   I  -y  Oliver  Optic 

6.  BOY  FARMERS  OF  ELM  ISLAND,  THE     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

7.  BOYS  OF  GRAND  I'RE  SCHOOL     By  Prof  James  DeMille 

8.  "B.  O.  W.  C.",  THE     By  Prof.  James  DeMille 

9      BROUGHT  TO  THE  FRONT  or  the  Young  Defenders     By  Rev. 
Elijah  Kellogg 

10.  BURYING  THI:  HATCHKT  or  the  Young  Brave  of  the  Delawares 

By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

11.  CAST  AWAY  IN  THE  COLD     By  Dr.  Isaac  I.  Hayes 

12.  CHARLIE  BELL  THE  WAIF  OF  ELM  ISLAND     By  Rev.  Elijah 

Kellogg 

13.  CHILD  OF  THE  ISLAND  GLEN     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

14.  CROSSING  THE  QUICKSANDS     By  Samuel  W.  Cozzens 

15.  CRUISE  OF  THE  CASCO     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

16.  FIRE  IN  THE  WOODS     By  Prof.  James  DeMille 

17.  FISHER  BOYS  OF  PLEASANT  COVE     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

18.  FOREST  GLEN  or  the  Mohawk's  Friendship     By  Rev.  Elijah 

Kellogg 

19.  GOOD  OLD  TIMES     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

20.  HARDSCRABBLE  OF  ELM  ISLAND     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

21.  HASTE   OR   WASTE  or  the  Young  Pilot  of  Lake  Champlain 

By  Oliver  Optic 

22.  HOPE  AND  HAVE     By  Oliver  Optic 

23.  IN  SCHOOL  AND  OUT  or  the  Conquest  of  Richard  Grant     By 

Oliver  Optic 

24.  JOHN  GODSOE'S  LEGACY    By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 


LEE   and    SHEPARD    Publishers   Boston 


AMERICAN    BOYS'    SERIES  — Continued 

25.  JUST  His  LUCK    By  Oliver  Optic 

26.  LION  BEN  OF  ELM  ISLAND     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

27.  LITTLE  BY  LITTLE  or  the  Cruise  of  the  Flyaway     By  Oliver 

Optic 

28.  LIVE   OAK    BOYS  or  the   Adventures   of  Richard   Constable 

Afloat  and  Ashore     By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

29.  LOST  IN  THE  FOG     By  Prof.  James  DeMille 

30.  MISSION  OF  BLACK  RIFLE  or  On  the  Trail    By  Rev.  Elijah 

Kellogg 

31.  Now  OR   NEVER  or  the   Adventures    of    Bobby   Bright    By 

Oliver  Optic 

32.  POOR   AND   PROUD   or  the  Fortunes   or  Kate  Redburn      By 

Oliver  Optic 

33.  RICH   AND    HUMBLE  or   the  Mission  of    Bertha   Grant      By 

Oliver  Optic 

34.  SOPHOMORES  OF  RADCLIFFE  or  James  Trafton  and  His  Bos 

ton  Friends    By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

35.  SOWED  BY  THE  WIND  or  the  Poor  Boy's  Fortune     By  Rev. 

Elijah  Kellogg 

36.  SPARK  OF  GENIUS  or  the  College  Life  of  James  Trafton     By 

Elijah  Kellogg 

37.  STOUT  HEART  or  the  Student  from  Over  the  Sea    By  Rev. 

Elijah  Kellogg 

38.  STRONG   ARM  AND  A  MOTHER'S   BLESSING     By   Rev.    Elijah 

Kellogg 

39.  TREASURE  OF  THE  SEA     By  Prof.  James  DeMille 

40.  TRY  AGAIN  or  the  Trinls  and  Triumphs  of  Harry  West    By 

Oliver  Optic 

41.  TURNING   OF  THE   TIDE  or   Radcliffe  Rich   and  his  Patients 

By  Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

42.  UNSEEN  HAND  or  James  Renfew  and  His  Boy  Helpers     By 

Rev.  Elijah  Kellogg 

43.  WATCH    AND   WAIT    or    the    Young   Fugitives      By    Oliver 

Optic 

44.  WHISPERING  PINE  or  the  Graduates  of  Radcliffe     By  Rev. 

Elijah  Kellogg 

45.  WINNING  His  SPURS  or  Henry  Morton's  First  Trial     By  Rer 

Elijah  Kellogg 

46.  WOLF  RUN  or  the  Boys  of  the  Wilderness     By  Rev.  Elijah 

Kellogg 

47.  WORK  AND  WIN  or  Noddy  Newman  on  a  Cruise     By  Oliver 

Optic 

48.  YOUNG    DELIVERERS  OF   PLEASANT   COVE      By   Rev.  Elijah 

Kellogg 

49.  YOUNG    SHIPBUILDERS    OF    ELM    ISLAND      By   Rev.    Elijah 

Kellogg 

50.  YOUNG  TRAIL  HUNTERS     By  Samuel  W.  Cozzens 

LEE   and    SHEPARD   Publishers    Boston 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


OlSCHAR 


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GE-URL 

1979 


Form  L9-25m-9,'47(A5618)444 


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